Hail damage

Back in the early 80s when the shuttle was new, and enthusiasm for the world’s first spaceship was at its highest, it occurred to me that, for all that, it should probably be named "the spaceship that can’t fly in the rain." Though it took more than twenty-six years, it has finally lived up to the name.

"The space shuttle Atlantis’s planned March launch has been delayed to late April so technicians can repair extensive damage to foam insulation on its fuel tank caused by golf-ball-sized hail."

It’s a good thing the shuttles are going to be scrapped. Let’s hope the new ship is hardier.