Task: Translation
Input (Japanese): NASAは以前、外部燃料タンクの後部についた小さな黒いコウモリが打ち上げを遅らせたと冗談を言ったが、NASAはそれが打ち上げの問題ではないと保証した。
Output (English): NASA earlier had made jokes about a small black bat attached to the rear of the external fuel tank delaying launch, but NASA assured it would not be a problem for launch.