The latest shuttle damage

Ever wonder how often damage like this occurred in the past to no serious effect?

A routine shuttle mission, highlighted by a teacher's first spaceflight and space station construction, is now overshadowed by a troubling gash in Endeavour's thermal shield.

A detailed laser inspection on Sunday of the difficult-to-reach area on Endeavour's belly could send astronauts out to repair the 3-inch wound later in the week, although NASA said that prospect appeared less likely than it did a day earlier. A penetration, if severe enough, could let in searing gases when the shuttle returns to Earth in a possible replay of the Columbia accident.

My guess? Nearly every launch. And it will probably continue to happen on nearly every launch. I'm all for making the repairs in space. After all, there is no sense in squandering lives and equipment when you can do something about it. Just the same, we don't need to act like every case of minor damage to the shuttle is the end of the world.