posted 05-12-2009 11:25 AM               

The pad used by Atlantis, meanwhile, suffered more launch damage than usual. The heat-resistant material that covers the bricks beneath the pad was blasted off an approximate 25-square-foot area, said NASA spokesman Allard Beutel. Some nitrogen gas and pressurized air lines also were damaged.

The damage to the bricked flame trench -- which deflect the flames at booster rocket ignition -- occurred near an area that was severely battered last year. Monday's damage is not nearly as bad, Beutel said.

posted 05-12-2009 11:30 AM               

The massive flame deflector below the shuttle Atlantis' mobile launch platform was damaged during liftoff Monday, but officials said Tuesday a preliminary assessment indicates no impact on plans to launch the shuttle Endeavour from the same pad on June 13.

"The SRB flame deflector, there's about a 25-square-foot area on the north side where (a heat resistant coating) came off," a NASA spokeswoman said. "They had some pneumatic lines that were damaged."

While inspections are still in progress, she said, "right now, they don't see any indications there will be an impact on the June launch."

posted 05-30-2009 12:58 PM               

A view of the flame trench on Pad 39A where repairs following the launch of STS-125 have been completed.