Challenges and Repairs: The Journey of Space Shuttle Discovery

The space shuttle Discovery launched from Kennedy Space Center, with NASA confident that previous issues causing the Columbia disaster were resolved. However, foam insulation problems arose shortly after launch. The shuttle's robot arm inspected the thermal tiles for damage, revealing protruding materials that required an extra spacewalk for removal. Despite these challenges, the mission continued smoothly, and Discovery returned safely. Post-mission analysis led to the grounding of the shuttle fleet until insulation issues are addressed.

What was the initial reaction of NASA officials regarding the Discovery's launch?

• They expected new problems to arise.

• They were unsure about the mission's success.

• They were worried about potential issues.

• They were confident that previous problems had been resolved.

What was the purpose of the robot arm equipped with a camera on the Discovery?

• To assist in docking with the ISS.

• To capture images of the Earth.

• To scan the thermal tiles for damage.

• To communicate with ground control.

What was the main concern regarding the protruding spacing material on the Discovery?

• It could cause communication issues.

• It might lead to a weak spot during re-entry.

• It might damage the robot arm.

• It could interfere with the ISS docking.

How did astronaut Steve Robinson address the issue with the protruding material?

• He used a laser to cut it.

• He removed it with a saw.

• He pushed it back into place.

• He left it as it was.

What action did NASA take after the Discovery mission regarding its shuttle fleet?

• They retired the shuttle fleet permanently.

• They increased the number of missions.

• They grounded the fleet to solve insulation foam issues.

• They launched another mission immediately.