NASA contemplating changes to shuttle tank
Posted: Mon, Dec 5, 2005, 6:46 AM ET (1146 GMT)
Facing potential delays to next May's launch of the space shuttle, NASA managers are considering removing a problematic foam ramp from the shuttle's external tank. The PAL ramp on the external tank was the source of a chunk of foam that fell off during July's launch of the shuttle, the first since the Columbia accident in 2003. Recent examination of another tank that had been filled with cryogenic propellants during tanking tests revealed cracks in the foam on the same ramp. NASA is now considering accelerating plans to remove the PAL ramp from the shuttle tank in time for the next shuttle flight. Although earlier reports had indicated that removing the ramp could delay the launch until summer or early fall, shuttle officials believe they could still launch in the May launch window, depending on the results of wind tunnel tests scheduled for February.
Facing potential delays to next May's launch of the space shuttle, NASA managers are considering removing a problematic foam ramp from the shuttle's external tank. The PAL ramp on the external tank was the source of a chunk of foam that fell off during July's launch of the shuttle, the first since the Columbia accident in 2003. Recent examination of another tank that had been filled with cryogenic propellants during tanking tests revealed cracks in the foam on the same ramp. NASA is now considering accelerating plans to remove the PAL ramp from the shuttle tank in time for the next shuttle flight. Although earlier reports had indicated that removing the ramp could delay the launch until summer or early fall, shuttle officials believe they could still launch in the May launch window, depending on the results of wind tunnel tests scheduled for February.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Sunday, November 2
Can the Global South trust Starlink?
NPR — 8:20 am ET (1320 GMT) S. Korea bolsters space surveillance with 5th satellite launch
Korea Herald — 8:18 am ET (1318 GMT) South Korea's 30cm Satellite Completes Surveillance Network
Chosun Ilbo — 8:17 am ET (1317 GMT) Jeff Bezos wants to send people to live in space — here's what it would look like
New York Post — 8:17 am ET (1317 GMT) S. Korea's 5th spy satellite launched on SpaceX rocket in U.S.
Yonhap News — 8:14 am ET (1314 GMT) |
