NASA considering gap filler repair
Posted: Mon, Aug 1, 2005, 5:38 AM ET (0938 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
|
|
SpaceX sets Nov. 18 launch date for sixth Starship test flight
Posted: Sat, Nov 9 9:57 AM ET (1457 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, November 23
DirecTV Abandons Deal to Acquire Dish Amid Bondholder Opposition
Hollywood Reporter — 2:16 am ET (0716 GMT) DirecTV Ditches Dish Deal
Variety — 2:16 am ET (0716 GMT) DirecTV calling off Dish Network takeover after bondholders balk
Los Angeles Times — 2:15 am ET (0715 GMT) DirecTV terminates Dish deal over failed debt swap
Reuters — 2:14 am ET (0714 GMT) DirecTV announces termination of deal to buy Dish satellite business
Ars Technica — 2:13 am ET (0713 GMT) |
