Shuttle oxygen leak under investigation
Posted: Fri, Dec 9, 2005, 7:48 AM ET (1248 GMT)
Shuttle engineers are investigating data that indicates that an oxygen leak took place in the engine compartment during July's launch of the shuttle Discovery, a leak that could have endangered the orbiter. The leak was discovered when engineers analyzed the contents of "catch bottles" in the engine compartment that collect air samples there during flight. Two of the six bottles collected high concentrations of oxygen about two minutes into Discovery's flight. However, engineers have not been able to determine if a leak actually took place during the flight, let alone where. A buildup of oxygen in the compartment could have led to a fire, although there is no evidence that the shuttle was in danger at any point during its mission. Shuttle officials believe that this issue will not pose a problem to returning the shuttle to flight next May, but still plan to investigate and close the issue before that launch.
Shuttle engineers are investigating data that indicates that an oxygen leak took place in the engine compartment during July's launch of the shuttle Discovery, a leak that could have endangered the orbiter. The leak was discovered when engineers analyzed the contents of "catch bottles" in the engine compartment that collect air samples there during flight. Two of the six bottles collected high concentrations of oxygen about two minutes into Discovery's flight. However, engineers have not been able to determine if a leak actually took place during the flight, let alone where. A buildup of oxygen in the compartment could have led to a fire, although there is no evidence that the shuttle was in danger at any point during its mission. Shuttle officials believe that this issue will not pose a problem to returning the shuttle to flight next May, but still plan to investigate and close the issue before that launch.| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, October 10
GMV tests in Fuerteventura software from the ESA so that lunar rovers can move more quickly
Democrata — 3:11 am ET (0711 GMT) Farewell to the Fluid Science Laboratory after 18 years in orbit
ESA — 3:10 am ET (0710 GMT) Congressional delegation urges Musk to expand Starlink access for Ukraine
The New Voice of Ukraine — 3:07 am ET (0707 GMT) Musk questions Ambani's role in Starlink regulatory holdup
Business Insider — 3:06 am ET (0706 GMT) Sovereign Skies, Secure India: Why Starlink Must Be Denied Entry
News18.com — 3:04 am ET (0704 GMT) |
