LAT/AP: Astronaut May Face Another Shuttle Repair (torn thermal blanket)

[DeepModem Mom]

Astronaut May Face Another Shuttle Repair
By MARCIA DUNN, AP Aerospace Writer


SPACE CENTER, Houston -- With a gentle tug of his gloved right hand, Discovery astronaut Stephen Robinson removed two worrisome pieces of filler material from the shuttle's belly Wednesday in an unprecedented space repair job that drew a big sigh of relief from NASA.

But he may have to go out again to fix yet another trouble spot.

Robinson was barely back inside the shuttle and out of his spacesuit when Mission Control informed the crew there was a chance that a fourth spacewalk may be needed Friday to deal with a torn thermal blanket below a cockpit window.

The concern is that a roughly 1-foot section of the blanket could rip away during re-entry, whip backward and slam into the shuttle, perhaps causing grave damage. Engineers expect to know by Thursday afternoon whether the danger is real and whether any blanket trimming is required....

***

The blanket is covered with a quiltlike fabric and stuffed like a pillow, and serves as insulation. The insulation would blow harmlessly away if the blanket came apart; the concern is where the top layer of fabric might go and how much damage it might do at high descending speeds, despite its less than 1-ounce weight, said deputy shuttle program manager Wayne Hale....


http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wire/ats-ap_top11aug03,0,4249814.story

[Sven77]

1. they are doing everything they can to keep politics out of the news

this is minor stuff compared to the big issues the media is ignoring.

[Jersey Ginny]

3. It's real science at least, so I'm interested

I think the shuttles have seen their day, sadly. I like our space program. It is real "intelligent design." Yes, there are failures, but the successes are astonishing.

[TaleWgnDg]

2. Geez, from stuffing between the tiles to blankets not secure . . .

.
Geez, from stuffing between the tiles to blankets not secure . . . you'd suppose we are talking about somebody's grandmother not NASA's Space Shuttle. Go, NASA, go!

Hey, can't the news get a handle on some real news? Instead, of this "Mrs. Murphy's cat had kittens" variety? Or are the news media in bed with Bush not wanting to upset him or else be cut off from the news? Hhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?

Forgive me all this bedroom-speak. LOL

____________________________________

edited to add: My apologies to DeepModem Mom, I just had to get it off my chest!


.

[DeepModem Mom]

5. I report, you decide, TWD!

:D

[wli]

4. more blacking out of real news

You have to wonder if it was a manufactured crisis to distract from other events (e.g. Cheney's nuke crap).

[daleo]

6. I wonder about the gap fillers.

It seems to me that they were there for a reason. I wonder if taking them out (and leaving a gap between the tiles) will cause problems with laminar air flow as well.

[Dem2theMax]

10. I can answer that one! LOL.

I've been watching the daily briefings on NASA.TV and heard all about the fillers.

Each filler was in a specific spot for a specific reason. One of the fillers that came loose was a filler that supports the shuttle during launch. The tiles can clatter and that filler was there so that the tiles wouldn't clatter. The other filler spot was there to support the shuttle in terms of heat upon re-entry. NASA did a workup and based on the area where the filler was, they feel the shuttle will be safe on re-entry. The filler, although it looks like fabric (and the name sounds like it as well) is actually a fabric that is coated with ceramic. One of the NASA guys (can't remember his name) said it was like having a plate with fabric in it.

There was no mention/questions of any problems concerning air flow.

I watched astronaut Steve Robinson today as he removed the filler. It slid right out. No tugging or pulling required. Looked like the adhesive just didn't work on those two pieces.

I don't know WHERE these supposed news people get their news but it sure isn't from the horses mouth. I watched a local news station tonight saying that Robinson had to use a scissors/forceps type of instrument and a hack saw to remove the filler! Idiots. He had those tools along in case he needed to use them. I watched a film of the astronauts practicing this procedure in the NASA swimming pool where they test/practice the work they will have to do while in space.

Also, NASA has not yet decided if they will have to do another space walk, and if so, it has not yet been decided which day it will happen. This article states that if they do it, it will be on Friday. Idiots again. I watched deputy shuttle program manager Wayne Hale today in the briefing and he said they haven't even made it to the point of knowing what to expect if the fabric comes off, let alone which day they would fix it, if need be. NASA sent blanket pieces to Ames Research Center in California today (Wednesday) and they will be working with the blanket in a wind tunnel to try to reproduce the damage and then find out what would happen to it during re-entry.

I wish the news people would actually WATCH the NASA briefings instead of making up their own stories.

Oh, another piece of information. According to NASA, the shuttle is not 'grounded'. That was discussed on day three of the briefings. They were very upset that the media was saying that when it isn't true. But you don't hear the news media telling us that either. IDIOTS! :mad:

[daleo]

13. Thanks for the information.

I really hope they have thought through this gap issue. It seems to me that a smooth surface is extremely important, but maybe a gap doesn't disturb airflow as much as a protuberance.

Time to pray to the God of the gaps, I guess (I couldn't help myself on that one).

[Hardrada]

7. I think they'd better hitchhike home

with the Russkis (or the Chinese)!

[1932]

8. Those shuttles must have been more fun to fly when they were new.

[terrible beauty]

9. Just like my pickup

Seems like every time I take her out something falls off and when I get er back more shit hanging off.Oh well I still luv her.

[ngGale]

11. My thoughts are ...

all of them better get home okay, if not there will hell to pay.
John Q. Public can't take another accident, or their families.

[Tripmann]

12. If they do get back safely....

...they will have given the public a HUGE diversion from rovegate. If they don't make it back it will be another columbia disaster style photo-op for monkeyboy and dems won't dare hammer the rove investigation home while the nations in mourning.

A win-win situation for bushco. Guess the shuttle was always going up, ready OR NOT

SICK

[jim3775]

14. Protruding protection blanket deemed safe

See my post in GD

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4259263&mesg_id=4259263

[DeepModem Mom]

15. Thanks, jim! nt