Foam impact creates T-seal gap in test
Posted: Fri, May 30, 2003, 11:07 AM ET (1507 GMT)
A chunk of foam fired at a segment of a space shuttle wing leading edge created a measurable gap in a T-seal, a finding that some have called a "potential breakthrough" in the Columbia investigation. According to a statement released late Thursday by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB), investigators fired a 0.76-kg chunk of foam like that used on the shuttle's external tank at a segment of leading edge panels and seals taken from the shuttle Enterprise. The debris, striking the panels at 855 kmph, created a gap between one of the panels and a T-seal. The gap was 55 centimeters long and over 0.6 cm thick in some places. While the CAIB said it has not made any final conclusions about the Columbia accident, the research appears to bolster the current leading hypothesis that falling foam from the external tank damaged leading edge panels or seals, creating a gap that allowed hot plasma to enter the orbiter’s wing during reentry. Similar foam impact tests are planned for June.
A chunk of foam fired at a segment of a space shuttle wing leading edge created a measurable gap in a T-seal, a finding that some have called a "potential breakthrough" in the Columbia investigation. According to a statement released late Thursday by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB), investigators fired a 0.76-kg chunk of foam like that used on the shuttle's external tank at a segment of leading edge panels and seals taken from the shuttle Enterprise. The debris, striking the panels at 855 kmph, created a gap between one of the panels and a T-seal. The gap was 55 centimeters long and over 0.6 cm thick in some places. While the CAIB said it has not made any final conclusions about the Columbia accident, the research appears to bolster the current leading hypothesis that falling foam from the external tank damaged leading edge panels or seals, creating a gap that allowed hot plasma to enter the orbiter’s wing during reentry. Similar foam impact tests are planned for June.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Apex becomes billion-dollar company with $200 million Series D round
Posted: Sun, Sep 14 4:09 AM ET (0809 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Wednesday, September 17
Falcon 9 launch of Starlink satellites scheduled for Wednesday morning
KEYT-TV Santa Barbara, CA — 1:34 am ET (0534 GMT) Colorado Springs springs into action amid loss of Space Command
Washington Times — 1:34 am ET (0534 GMT) SpaceX rocket-launching license survives NEPA challenge
POLITICO — 1:30 am ET (0530 GMT) SpaceX Eyes First Starship Version 3 Launch In ’25 Or ’26
Aviation Week — 1:29 am ET (0529 GMT) Judge dismisses suit challenging SpaceX's Starship approval
Houston Chronicle — 1:28 am ET (0528 GMT) |
