Woodpeckers damage shuttle tank

In May 1995, flame-colored woodpeckers caused significant damage to the external tank of the Discovery shuttle, creating numerous holes in the insulating foam. The damage forced NASA to delay the launch, as the shuttle had to be returned to the assembly building for repairs.

Number of holes unclear

The number of holes varies across sources, with some citing 71 holes and others estimating nearly 200. The holes ranged in diameter from 1.27 centimeters to 10 centimeters, with some reaching the metal wall of the tank without causing structural damage.

Woodpeckers nested at launch pad

The incident occurred at launch pad 39B, where the woodpeckers had chosen to nest. On May 31, 1995, the teams responsible for the STS-70 mission discovered the extent of the damage.

Launch delayed and rescheduled

Initial attempts to repair the foam on the launch pad failed due to the tank's configuration. As a result, NASA officials decided to delay Discovery's launch on June 2, 1995, swapping its launch order with that of STS-71.

Shuttle moved for repairs

The shuttle was moved back to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) on June 8, where repairs were carried out before it was returned to launch pad 39B on June 15. The transportation of the shuttle between the launch pad and the VAB cost approximately $100,000.

Launch delayed by a month

The launch finally took place on July 13, 1995, at 9:41:55 a.m. Eastern Time, approximately a month after the discovery of the damage.

Measures to prevent bird damage

To prevent a recurrence, NASA implemented measures such as installing plastic owl decoys and playing recordings of great horned owl hoots. A dedicated team, known as the Bird Investigation Review and Deterrent Team (BIRD Team), was created to manage bird-related issues.

Bird deterrents used

Technicians were also equipped with air horns to deter birds. This unusual approach highlights how natural factors can disrupt even the most complex technological operations.