Challenger in Good Condition Despite Chipped Tiles and Scratched Windows
Several of the space shuttle Challenger’s heat-resistant tiles apparently became chipped during its rocky ascent last week, but otherwise the ship returned in good condition, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration said Wednesday as engineers began removing heat sensors blamed for the launching problems.
Officials believe that faulty readings by the sensors caused one engine to shut down during launching, nearly aborting the mission as soon as it began. The ship managed to reach a safe orbit, and the flight was so successful that it was eventually extended from seven days to eight.
Challenger appeared to be in good condition Wednesday with the exception of the chipped tiles and some unexplained scratches on the orbiter’s left forward and right center windows, NASA said.
The shuttle sailed smoothly to Earth on Tuesday, laden with a mountain of scientic data gathered by its seven astronauts.
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