Originally published July 27, 2005 at 12:00 AM | Page modified July 27, 2005 at 7:01 PM

NASA grounds shuttle flights until foam problem is fixed

NASA officials said today it would ground future space shuttle flights because foam debris that brought down Columbia is still a risk.

By Marcia Dunn

AP Aerospace Writer

SPACE CENTER, Houston — NASA officials said today it would ground future space shuttle flights because foam debris that brought down Columbia is still a risk.

A sizable chunk of foam insulation that came flying off the shuttle Discovery's fuel tank during Tuesday's liftoff did not hit the orbiter and does not pose a risk to the seven astronauts.

But it is a problem NASA thought had been fixed, and represents a tremendous setback to a space program that has spent 21/2 years trying to rise from the ashes of Columbia.

"We won't be able to fly again" until that hazard is removed, Bill Parsons, shuttle program manager, told reporters in a briefing. "Obviously we have some more work to do."

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