U.S. space agency officials postponed a launch decision for space shuttle Atlantis until testing is completed on its hail-damaged external fuel tank. Atlantis was damaged Feb. 26 during a thunderstorm that produced large hail that pelted the shuttle while it was on the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, UPI reported. National Aeronautics and Space Administration officials Wednesday said they decided more testing and analysis are needed to determine whether the tank will be used for the upcoming STS-117 flight or whether the tank must be replaced. The NASA teams expect to have the necessary data by April 10 to make that decision and to establish a target launch date. Hail damage on the tank has been mapped and repairs have been completed on the bottom portion -- the liquid hydrogen section -- of the tank. The damage on the middle part of the tank was found to be superficial with little repair needed, NASA said. However, NASA said technicians had discovered about 2,500 "dings," mostly on the top of the tank, that must be reviewed to determine what type of repair technique might be required.
