On Launch Pad 39A the cracks on space shuttle Discovery's external fuel tank have been repaired.

On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the cracks on space shuttle Discovery's external fuel tank have been repaired. The foam cracked during initial loading operations for Discovery’s STS-133 mission to the International Space Station on Nov. 5. The cracks were on two of the 108 stringers, which are the composite aluminum ribs located vertically on the intertank area.

Discovery's next launch attempt is no earlier than Dec. 17 at 8:51 p.m. EST. Until then, engineers will continue to analyze data from the GUCP and stringer crack repairs. For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston