CAIB recommends NASA develop on-orbit shuttle repair capability
Posted: Sat, Jun 28, 2003, 1:19 PM ET (1719 GMT)
The Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) issued Friday a preliminary recommendation that NASA develop techniques to inspect shuttles for tile damage while in orbit and repair any damage found. The recommendation, the third in a series of interim recommendations made by the board before it issues its final report next month, states that NASA should develop techniques to inspect shuttles when docked to the International Space Station, as well as autonomous techniques for checking shuttles on missions that do not go to the station. The CAIB also recommended that NASA develop ways to make emergency repairs to any tiles or other components of the shuttle's thermal protection system while in orbit. The board recommended that those inspection and repair techniques be available before the shuttle returns to flight. A NASA spokesperson told the New York Times that the agency has already been working on such a system for the "past couple of months", describing the problem as "not insurmountable."
The Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) issued Friday a preliminary recommendation that NASA develop techniques to inspect shuttles for tile damage while in orbit and repair any damage found. The recommendation, the third in a series of interim recommendations made by the board before it issues its final report next month, states that NASA should develop techniques to inspect shuttles when docked to the International Space Station, as well as autonomous techniques for checking shuttles on missions that do not go to the station. The CAIB also recommended that NASA develop ways to make emergency repairs to any tiles or other components of the shuttle's thermal protection system while in orbit. The board recommended that those inspection and repair techniques be available before the shuttle returns to flight. A NASA spokesperson told the New York Times that the agency has already been working on such a system for the "past couple of months", describing the problem as "not insurmountable."
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
SpaceX performs two Falcon 9 launches less than an hour apart
Posted: Sun, Aug 16 10:57 AM ET (1457 GMT) Virgin Galactic delays resumption of commercial flights to 2027
Posted: Sun, Aug 16 10:54 AM ET (1454 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Sunday, August 16
Southern Launch expands national presence with Canberra office opening
Southern Launch — 12:40 pm ET (1640 GMT) Satellite Industry Association Congratulates Adam Cassady on his U.S. Senate Confirmation as Ambassador at Large for the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy
SIA — 12:37 pm ET (1637 GMT) Mats Thideman to leave AAC Clyde Space
AAC Clyde Space — 12:36 pm ET (1636 GMT) Voyager Awarded Space Force Contract for Resilient Satellite Communications
Voyager Space — 12:36 pm ET (1636 GMT) Scientists Release Biggest 2D Map of the Universe
National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory — 12:34 pm ET (1634 GMT) |
