Delayed Shuttle Launch

NASA set a goal of flying 5 missions this year, but after a hail storm last week the external tank on the shuttle, which has caused so many problems in the past, needs to be examined and repaired. The foam on the ET has become potted due to the impact from the hail storm (see the link for a great photo). And NASA doesn't want to take any chances for repeating the Columbia disaster- when a piece of the foam on the ET damaged the shuttle during launch. Since then, the ET has been redesigned using less foam, and another version is currently in the works. However, the original launch scheduled for March 15 could be delayed as long as June making it seemingly impossible for NASA to accomplish it's 5 mission goal this year.