NASA has said it is grounding the space shuttle fleet as engineers investigate debris which fell from Discovery’s external fuel tank during launch.
A spokesman for the US space agency said big chunks of foam broke off the tank after Tuesday’s lift-off but are not thought to have damaged the craft.
The Columbia shuttle was destroyed in 2003 after a similar incident.
If the shuttle is damaged, its crew could wait in the International Space Station until a rescue craft arrives.
Discovery is taking parts and supplies to the ISS.
It is the first orbiter mission by the US space agency since the loss of the Columbia and its crew.
It is due to return to Earth in 10 days’ time.
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(Source: BBC News)
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