New fuel tank design leads NASA forward
The Associated Press
January 11, 2005

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A redesigned fuel tank for NASA's first post-Columbia launch emerged from a darkened barge into the sunlight Thursday, inspiring workers who gathered to watch.

“We're no longer recovering from the accident. We're really heading toward a launch. Big change in momentum and morale,” launch director Mike Leinbach said.

The arrival of the external fuel tank from a manufacturing plant in Louisiana moved the space program closer to its goal of a late-spring liftoff for Discovery. A suitcase-size piece of insulating foam from Columbia's fuel tank triggered that shuttle's breakup as it re-entered the atmosphere over Texas nearly two years ago.

On the new tank, no foam piece bigger than a few marshmallows should come off, project manager Sandy Coleman said. Anything that small would be harmless, she said.

Some workers photographed the 154-foot orange-yellow tank as it was hauled atop a wheeled flatbed into the Vehicle Assembly Building, and others walked alongside, pointing out new features.

Clearly missing were the pair of foam ramps that caused the deadly shedding during Columbia's final flight. In their place were eight new heaters, designed to prevent ice buildup when super-cold fuel is loaded right before launch.