NASA Restricts Use of Shuttle Sensor After Flaws Are Found

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — The space shuttle Columbia flew seven times with a fuel temperature sensor that later was found to have ominous cracks. NASA decided Thursday to eliminate that type of sensor wherever possible.

A quick glance at nine other sensors removed Thursday from Columbia indicates that at least one of them also may be cracked. That component has flown twice.

NASA officials were concerned that if a sensor broke off it could damage a fuel pump, possibly shutting down an engine and possibly causing an explosion.

Shuttle managers agreed to leave out three of the four temperature sensors in Columbia’s hydrogen lines and just plug the holes for the orbiter’s upcoming flight. The same is expected to be done on the other shuttles to reduce risk.

Space agency spokeswoman Lisa Malone said launch criteria will be met with the remaining sensors and other information.

The cracked sensor had been removed last year because it leaked. But key officials did not learn the extent of the sensor crack problem until early Tuesday, the day before Columbia was supposed to have blasted off with seven astronauts. The countdown was halted and the launch delayed until at least June 1.

Officials said it is impossible to know how much longer Columbia’s cracked sensor would have lasted or what the outcome would have been if it had broken. But top shuttle manager Dan Germany said NASA “dodged a bullet on that one” and that “it was just a matter of time.”