Now that Discovery and crew are safe on deck, the NASA team can get busy, and figure out this foam issue so we can get Atlantis in the air next month. I would not want to place a bet in Vegas but let’s see if all of that brain power at the Cape can come up with a solution..
One thing I have found out working on aircraft all of these years is that sometimes simple solution like a little duct tape over a leading edge works pretty good. Have you ever heard the term 1000 mile per hour duct tape. The airframers in the military have, and I can guarantee more than one airframes mechanic has used some in a pinch.
Now this is not to say that duct tape would hold up to the speeds the shuttle flies at but it could be an option consider, thats my contribution to the brain trust. You all know I’m kidding right? [NASA]