NASA spent two years redesigning the tank and developed potential repair methods.

There also exists a range of specialised repair methods which use epoxy resins.

The crew conducted four spacewalks and performed a previously untested repair method on the station's solar array.

Information about other repair methods is on Mr. Friedman's Web site, www.inspect-ny.com.

A combat expedient repair method was to slip a bit of rubber under the bolt stop spring.

Dr. Griffin said engineers still did not know whether the repair methods could save a shuttle.

That repair method is not permissible, and no record of it was made.

Once problems are identified, the owner should select a proper repair method.

Only a handful were in possibly critical areas, and thankfully these faults could all be dealt with by routine repair methods.

The repair method selected will probably be tested on that piping before being used on the shuttles, he said.