Space shuttle Discovery's external fuel tank has taken on a bit of a starring role for the STS-133 mission because of the extra work needed to handle the unexpected challenges presented by the tank's stringers.
Technicians have been working on the stringers as the shuttle stands inside the Vehicle Assembly Building. Some of the 108 stringers, which are support beams that make up the corrugated intertank portion of the external tank, developed small cracks during fueling for a Nov. 5, 2010, launch attempt. Examinations performed following a fueling test revealed cracks on other stringers.
Technicians have been working on the stringers as the shuttle stands inside the Vehicle Assembly Building. Some of the 108 stringers, which are support beams that make up the corrugated intertank portion of the external tank, developed small cracks during fueling for a Nov. 5, 2010, launch attempt. Examinations performed following a fueling test revealed cracks on other stringers.