Re:Err on the side of caution...don't you think? (Score 1)

TripMonkey, I have been watching all of the mission management briefings since launch, and find NPR's report of doubtful credibility. Several NASA centers are off working on characterizing the problem and NASA has the results of several simulations and a very neat 3D formed plastic model of the damage to work with http://news.yahoo.com/photos/ss/events/sc/010605sh uttlenasa/im:/070813/ids_photos_ts/r2562607963.jpg . The concern of course is that there is risk to the spacewalking astronaut that would perform the repair (from orbital debris, or equipment malfunction), and a risk for further damage to the TPS from just messing with it. So as always, it's a risk tradeoff: is the risk of attempting to fix it greater than the risk of not fixing it?

If all fluid dynamics simulations and arcjet testing data shows that there is likely no re-entry risk to crew safety, but a chance of a maintenance problem in readying Endeavour for the next flight, it is however somewhat ironic that a risk to the spacewalking astronaut which would repair the area in question would be acceptable to protect the schedule of missions to follow...