The external tank attached to Space Shuttle Atlantis shows damage during a thunderstorm that passed through Kennedy Space Center.

At Launch Pad 39A, the external tank attached to Space Shuttle Atlantis shows damage from hail bombardment during a strong thunderstorm that passed through Kennedy Space Center about 5 p.m. EST on Feb. 26. A full assessment of the storm's impact is under way. The two-day STS-117 Flight Readiness Review is being held concurrently with the assessment. Hail also impacted Space Shuttle Columbia before the launch of STS-4 in 1982; Atlantis, being readied for STS-38 in 1990; and Discovery, before the launch of STS-96 in 1999.