NASA puts a hold on additional shuttle tank modifications
Posted: Sat, Apr 29, 2006, 10:31 AM ET (1431 GMT)
Shuttle managers announced Friday that they have decided to leave in place a number of foam ramps on the shuttle's external tank, deciding that the risks associated with making additional changes to the tank outweighed the risk of foam falling off the ramps. The "ice/frost" ramps are located on pressurization line fittings on the tank and could be a source of some of the foam that has fallen off the tank during shuttle launches. While some within NASA argued that the ramps should be removed, NASA decided it would make "one change at a time" to the tank, with the focus on the removal of much larger PAL foam ramps on the tank. Engineers are still working on an aerodynamic analysis of the tank without the ramps. A decision on whether or not to remove the ramps is not expected before a flight readiness review on June 16. Discovery is still scheduled for launch on mission STS-121 during a launch window that opens July 1.
Shuttle managers announced Friday that they have decided to leave in place a number of foam ramps on the shuttle's external tank, deciding that the risks associated with making additional changes to the tank outweighed the risk of foam falling off the ramps. The "ice/frost" ramps are located on pressurization line fittings on the tank and could be a source of some of the foam that has fallen off the tank during shuttle launches. While some within NASA argued that the ramps should be removed, NASA decided it would make "one change at a time" to the tank, with the focus on the removal of much larger PAL foam ramps on the tank. Engineers are still working on an aerodynamic analysis of the tank without the ramps. A decision on whether or not to remove the ramps is not expected before a flight readiness review on June 16. Discovery is still scheduled for launch on mission STS-121 during a launch window that opens July 1.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, September 1
OHB Secures €1 Billion Deal For 18 IRIS² MEO Satellites
Aviation Week — 5:55 am ET (0955 GMT) OHB to Build 18 MEO Satellites for IRIS² in Nearly €1B Award
ViaSatellite — 5:55 am ET (0955 GMT) NDIA SWF: USSPACECOM leaders emphasize allied and commercial integration as critical to countering space threats
US Space Command — 5:53 am ET (0953 GMT) Northwood Space Expands California-Based Manufacturing Footprint
Aviation Week — 5:52 am ET (0952 GMT) U.S. Sen. Jim Banks, Space Force general visit L3Harris to see Golden Dome work
Greater Fort Wayne (IN) Business Weekly — 5:52 am ET (0952 GMT) |
