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== Mission anomaly ==
Although the launch went without any issue, an issue was discovered with the SRB's following recovery. Analysis showed worrying damage to the field joinsjoints which was likely caused by hot gases. This similar damage is what caused booster seals abord [[Space Shuttle Challenger|Space Shuttle ''Challenger'']] to break resulting in a [[Space Shuttle Challenger disaster|break-up mid-flight]]. The issue did not compromise astronaut safety because there was a hot gas path through the motors field joint but not the capture joint. Despite there being no issue with safety, it did raise questions of a new EPA required cleaning fluid.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.americaspace.com/2016/06/18/man-im-here-20-years-since-the-record-setting-mission-of-sts-78-part-1/|title='Man, I'm Here': 20 Years Since the Record-Setting Mission of STS-78 (Part 1)|date=June 18, 2016|website=AmericaSpace|language=en-US}}</ref>
Due to the issue, [[STS-79]] which was meant to dock with the [[Mir|Space Station Mi]]<nowiki/>r and return astronaut [[Shannon Lucid]], was delayed. Options of returning Shannon on a Soyuz were considered, but never followed through as the Shuttle was considered safe and able to return Shannon.
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