NASA sticking to scheduled launch for Discovery, despite wing concerns

NASA's senior managers cleared space shuttle Discovery for liftoff Tuesday, overruling a safety group that called for further studies and wing repairs, if necessary, before next week's launch.

The potential problem is with the critical thermal shielding on Discovery's wings. A new inspection method uncovered possible cracking just beneath the protective coating on three of the 44 panels that line the wings.

Engineers were evenly split on whether Discovery's flight to the International Space Station should be delayed, shuttle program manager Wayne Hale said.

In the end, top managers concluded Tuesday night following an all-day meeting that repairs were not needed.