The BBC reports NASA officials now believe at least one shard of foam debris might have hit a wing Discovery:
Nasa deputy programme manager Wayne Hale said new photographic evidence appeared to suggest an impact with one of the wings.
But he stressed there was a "divergence of opinion" at Nasa on whether the foam had actually made contact.
[. . .]
"We might have four areas of the wing leading edge where there might have been an impact."
Mr Hale said he did not believe the impact had caused any damage to the shuttle.
[. . .]
During Tuesday's launch, at least three pieces of foam came off the Discovery, including one about 80cm (31 inches) by 35cm (14 inches), slightly smaller than the piece which caused Columbia's destruction.
The Los Angeles Times reports that NASA officials said they were confident that Discovery had weathered its launch without major damage and will likely be able to return without a problem. The officials cautioned they couldn't make a final decision until analysis of the voluminous data and images was completed.
Discovery successfully docked with the International Space Station this morning. Before docking, Discovery completed a back flip to allow further inspection of its underbelly for damage.
The top image, taken by the crew of the International Space Station, shows Discovery as it performed a back flip. The operation allowed the space station crew to photograph the underside of the orbiter to check for damage. The bottom image shows Discovery's nose gear door as photographed by the crew on the International Space Station.
UPDATE: The Los Angeles Times now reports that a NASA graphic showed the trajectory of one small piece of foam arcing toward the right wing and then abruptly changing course:
NASA officials said they were concerned that the debris might have hit the wing, as that was the cause of the Columbia disaster 2 1/2 years ago.
However, they said they were confident the foam was too small to have caused damage that would prevent Discovery's safe return to Earth.
"That was the only piece that may have impacted the orbiter," said N. Wayne Hale Jr., the deputy shuttle program manager. "We have assured ourselves it caused no damage."
Because the shuttle fleet could be grounded for months, NASA is preparing to transfer more water and other cargo to the International Space Station than originally planned.
NASA's assurances that the foam debris is hauntingly familiar to assurances NASA made when Columbia was struck by foam debris. A big difference is that with Discovery there is a greater capability to check for damage.
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