Columbia Damaged as Launching Nears
From Times Wire Reports
Space shuttle Columbia was banged and part of its outer thermal layer damaged during preparations in Cape Canaveral for an April 16 launching, NASA said. Technicians had just hoisted Columbia into a vertical position and attached its two booster rockets and an external fuel tank. As the powerful lifting sling was removed, it struck near the lower left belly of Columbia, spokesman Joel Wells said. Part of the protective layer had to be replaced, he said. Engineers found no evidence of structural damage, he added.
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