Space Shuttle's "Return to Flight"

[Ghoulish Delight]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8720825/

So far so good. They've done a couple preliminary damage assessments and aren't too concerned yet. The consensus from visual inspection of the chipped tile is that it's no big deal, but they have the option of using the new boom-mounted laser to inspect it in detail later. Also, as they approach the space station, the shuttle is going to do a backflip to allow the astronauts on the station to get a good look at the underside as yet another visual inspection. And later they'll be doing a space walk to test out new repair techniques on the thermal tiles.

Sounds like they're doing a good job of taking sensible (and down right cool) steps to get realistic damage assessments.