Columbia data recorder recovered
Posted: Thu, Mar 20, 2003, 10:41 AM ET (1541 GMT)
Searchers have found a data recorder from the shuttle Columbia that could provide key data about the shuttle in its final minutes. The orbital experiments recorder (OEX) was found in relatively good condition near Hemphill, Texas, by teams looking for debris from the shuttle. Investigators do not yet know if any data can be salvaged from the recorder. If it can, it could offer critical information about the shuttle during reentry. The OEX is designed to record conditions such as temperature, vibration, and pressure during reentry. Columbia is the only shuttle with an OEX, which was installed on the orbiter to provide engineers with insights about reentry conditions during the early shuttle flights. In a related story, NASA administrator Sean O’Keefe told a meeting of the NASA Advisory Council at the Stennis Space Center that a single definitive cause for the shuttle accident may never be found, given limited information. The Associated Press reported that he said it would most likely be a combination of hardware problems, failures of processes and procedures, and bad judgment calls.
Searchers have found a data recorder from the shuttle Columbia that could provide key data about the shuttle in its final minutes. The orbital experiments recorder (OEX) was found in relatively good condition near Hemphill, Texas, by teams looking for debris from the shuttle. Investigators do not yet know if any data can be salvaged from the recorder. If it can, it could offer critical information about the shuttle during reentry. The OEX is designed to record conditions such as temperature, vibration, and pressure during reentry. Columbia is the only shuttle with an OEX, which was installed on the orbiter to provide engineers with insights about reentry conditions during the early shuttle flights. In a related story, NASA administrator Sean O’Keefe told a meeting of the NASA Advisory Council at the Stennis Space Center that a single definitive cause for the shuttle accident may never be found, given limited information. The Associated Press reported that he said it would most likely be a combination of hardware problems, failures of processes and procedures, and bad judgment calls.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Monday, September 21
A legacy, two failures & some questions
The Times of India — 5:44 am ET (0944 GMT) ESA Acknowledges Ariane 6 Delays Following Reports of Turbopump Issue
Essence — 5:38 am ET (0938 GMT) Thousands of planned launches, terms of deal, worry some near Louisiana SpaceX site
NPR — 5:36 am ET (0936 GMT) The data goes to space. But the law remains murky
Korea Herald — 5:34 am ET (0934 GMT) Explore Spaceport America during its free open house
KTSM-TV El Paso — 5:33 am ET (0933 GMT) |
