NASA to remove foam ramp from shuttle tank
Posted: Fri, Dec 16, 2005, 8:10 AM ET (1310 GMT)
Shuttle managers announced Thursday that NASA has decided to remove a problematic foam ramp from the space shuttle's external tank, a decision that could delay next May's launch. NASA associate administrator Bill Gerstenmaier, in a news briefing Thursday, said that the PAL ramp would be removed from the external tank before the launch of STS-121, the next shuttle mission. A chunk of foam came off the PAL ramp during July's launch of STS-114, and inspections of a tank filled with cryogenic propellants but not flown showed evidence of cracks in the same ramp. The ramp was installed to relieve aerodynamic pressure on cables mounted on the tank's exterior, but studies have shown that the cables can withstand those forces without the need for the ramp. Gerstenmaier declined to say if the change would delay the launch of STS-121, although many believe that the additional work needed to remove the tank and perform related modifications would delay the launch until later in the summer.
Shuttle managers announced Thursday that NASA has decided to remove a problematic foam ramp from the space shuttle's external tank, a decision that could delay next May's launch. NASA associate administrator Bill Gerstenmaier, in a news briefing Thursday, said that the PAL ramp would be removed from the external tank before the launch of STS-121, the next shuttle mission. A chunk of foam came off the PAL ramp during July's launch of STS-114, and inspections of a tank filled with cryogenic propellants but not flown showed evidence of cracks in the same ramp. The ramp was installed to relieve aerodynamic pressure on cables mounted on the tank's exterior, but studies have shown that the cables can withstand those forces without the need for the ramp. Gerstenmaier declined to say if the change would delay the launch of STS-121, although many believe that the additional work needed to remove the tank and perform related modifications would delay the launch until later in the summer.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Starship explodes during preparations for static-fire test
Posted: Sun, Jun 22 6:52 AM ET (1052 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, July 12
Rocket maker Firefly Aerospace files to go public under ticker FLY
CNBC — 10:54 am ET (1454 GMT) Space and defense firm Firefly Aerospace files for US IPO
Reuters — 10:54 am ET (1454 GMT) Firefly Aerospace files for an IPO
TechCrunch — 10:52 am ET (1452 GMT) Firefly Aerospace Files Registration Statement for Proposed Initial Public Offering
Firefly Aerospace — 10:52 am ET (1452 GMT) Austin-area rocket maker Firefly Aerospace files to go public as FLY
Austin (TX) American-Statesman — 10:52 am ET (1452 GMT) |
