Time for a redesign
So the Space Shuttle launched succesfully this morning. Except for one wee mishap:
"NASA Studies Debris Recorded During Launch
By JEFF DONN, Associated Press Writer 20 minutes ago
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In uneasy reminders of the Columbia accident, a thermal tile apparently got chipped and other debris whirled around Discovery as it rumbled toward space Tuesday, but it wasn't clear if the shuttle's sensitive skin had been jeopardized.
A 1 1/2-inch-wide bit of tile captured on camera appeared to fly off the shuttle's belly, on the edge of a door that encloses thhe nose landing gear. It was not clear if the tile had been struck by anything. Pieces of tile, which protect the shuttle from searing heat on return to Earth, have been lost on past flights without preventing a safe homecoming."
The rest of the article is here.
Plus they are now carrying a repair kit that includes a carbon based "caulk" and prefab patches.
Return is scheduled for the early morning of August 7th.
"NASA Studies Debris Recorded During Launch
By JEFF DONN, Associated Press Writer 20 minutes ago
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In uneasy reminders of the Columbia accident, a thermal tile apparently got chipped and other debris whirled around Discovery as it rumbled toward space Tuesday, but it wasn't clear if the shuttle's sensitive skin had been jeopardized.
A 1 1/2-inch-wide bit of tile captured on camera appeared to fly off the shuttle's belly, on the edge of a door that encloses thhe nose landing gear. It was not clear if the tile had been struck by anything. Pieces of tile, which protect the shuttle from searing heat on return to Earth, have been lost on past flights without preventing a safe homecoming."
The rest of the article is here.
Plus they are now carrying a repair kit that includes a carbon based "caulk" and prefab patches.
Return is scheduled for the early morning of August 7th.