NASA studying shuttle foam debris
Posted: Fri, Jul 17, 2009, 9:24 AM ET (1324 GMT)
NASA shuttle managers said Thursday that they are studying "unusual" foam shedding from the shuttle's external tank during Wednesday afternoon's launch. In at least two cases foam from the external tank did hit the shuttle, but officials said there was no evidence that the debris did any serious damage to the orbiter that could pose a risk during reentry. The shuttle crew performed an initial inspection of the orbiter on Thursday and will perform other checks, including a "backflip" as it approaches the ISS on Friday so that the station crew can photograph the orbiter's underside. Managers said the foam shedding was different from previous events in that at least some came from the "intertank" region of the external tank, a region that is structurally strong and less prone to shedding foam in general. While the debris does not appear to have caused damage, shuttle managers suggested they might delay the next shuttle mission, scheduled for launch in a month, if they don't understand what caused the shedding by then.
NASA shuttle managers said Thursday that they are studying "unusual" foam shedding from the shuttle's external tank during Wednesday afternoon's launch. In at least two cases foam from the external tank did hit the shuttle, but officials said there was no evidence that the debris did any serious damage to the orbiter that could pose a risk during reentry. The shuttle crew performed an initial inspection of the orbiter on Thursday and will perform other checks, including a "backflip" as it approaches the ISS on Friday so that the station crew can photograph the orbiter's underside. Managers said the foam shedding was different from previous events in that at least some came from the "intertank" region of the external tank, a region that is structurally strong and less prone to shedding foam in general. While the debris does not appear to have caused damage, shuttle managers suggested they might delay the next shuttle mission, scheduled for launch in a month, if they don't understand what caused the shedding by then.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, November 4
Space42 Expands SAR Constellation
Aviation Week — 7:04 am ET (1204 GMT) Intuitive Machines to Acquire Lanteris Space Systems, Creating the Next-Generation Commercial, Civil, and National Security Space Prime
Intuitive Machines — 7:02 am ET (1202 GMT) As Florida doubles down on its support of space discovery, FIU takes a lead in exploring critical governance and security issues
Florida International Univ. — 7:01 am ET (1201 GMT) Why Do We Celebrate UCF Space Week? Because Discovery Starts Here
Univ. of Central Florida — 7:01 am ET (1201 GMT) MDA Space investing in $10 million in Maritime Launch Services
Canadian Press — 6:59 am ET (1159 GMT) |
