Twenty-five years ago, Space Shuttle Columbia narrowly avoided disaster during the launch of the Chandra X-ray observatory. Unbeknownst to the crew, several critical flaws were present, including a loose pin in an engine and chafed wiring. Former Shuttle flight director Wayne Hale described the tense moments as the crew faced potential catastrophic failures. Despite multiple issues, quick thinking and a stroke of luck saved the mission from failure. NASA later discovered that some problems had been present since Columbia’s manufacturing. This harrowing experience serves as a reminder of the complexities and dangers of spacecraft operation.
https://www.theregister.com/2024/07/26/space_shuttle_columbia_near_miss/