NASA considering gap filler repair
Posted: Mon, Aug 1, 2005, 4:38 AM ET (0838 GMT)
NASA shuttle engineers and managers are considering having the STS-114 crew perform an additional spacewalk to repair two gap fillers that appear to be protruding out between tiles on the underside of the shuttle Discovery. Officials said Sunday that two gap fillers appear to be sticking out no more than two centimeters from the surface of the tiles. Engineers are concerned that the gap fillers, made of ceramic cloth, could disrupt the boundary layer of air during reentry, causing increased heating on other portions of the orbiter. Gap fillers have slipped out before, but not to the same degree, managers said. The problem could be corrected simply by having an astronaut pull the gap fillers out, but such an EVA would be the first time astronauts have ventured to the underside of the orbiter during a spacewalk, raising debates within the shuttle program whether the problem is great enough to merit the risk of such an EVA. The gap filler problem does not appear to be related to foam debris shed by the shuttle's external tank during launch.
NASA shuttle engineers and managers are considering having the STS-114 crew perform an additional spacewalk to repair two gap fillers that appear to be protruding out between tiles on the underside of the shuttle Discovery. Officials said Sunday that two gap fillers appear to be sticking out no more than two centimeters from the surface of the tiles. Engineers are concerned that the gap fillers, made of ceramic cloth, could disrupt the boundary layer of air during reentry, causing increased heating on other portions of the orbiter. Gap fillers have slipped out before, but not to the same degree, managers said. The problem could be corrected simply by having an astronaut pull the gap fillers out, but such an EVA would be the first time astronauts have ventured to the underside of the orbiter during a spacewalk, raising debates within the shuttle program whether the problem is great enough to merit the risk of such an EVA. The gap filler problem does not appear to be related to foam debris shed by the shuttle's external tank during launch.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, July 4
Coolest spacecraft ever in orbit around L2
ESA — 4:24 am ET (0824 GMT) Moonwalker Aldrin says we should colonise Mars
The Herald — 4:23 am ET (0823 GMT) Interest in space memorabilia takes a leap
Financial Times — 4:22 am ET (0822 GMT) Evidence mounts that Mars was once habitable
Arizona Republic — 4:17 am ET (0817 GMT) First Moon images sent back by Nasa orbiter show incredible details just 10ft across
The Daily Mail — 4:17 am ET (0817 GMT) |