NASA Ames in Mtn. View to Re-Test Space Shuttle Tiles

kcbs ^ | 2/8/2003 | Sue McGuire

[TLBSHOW]

NASA Ames in Mtn. View to Re-Test Space Shuttle Tiles

(Washington-AP) -- The ceramic tiles which insulate the space shuttles from the intense heat of re-entry into Earth atmosphere reportedly will be re-tested at Ames Research Center in the Silicon Valley. The tiles were designed to protect the space shuttles from temperatures that soar to three-thousand degrees during the return from Earth orbit.

According to the Washington Post the engineers at Ames will simulate the pressure, aerodynamic stress and heat of re-entry on pieces of reinforced carbon-carbon ceramic.

NASA also is running tests at Ames and other centers around the country to assess the impact of foam debris that struck a portion of the shuttle Columbia's left wing shortly after liftoff.

It has NOT been determined whether the shuttle was already damaged prior to breaking up during re-entry a week ago when its seven astronauts were killed.

[meenie]

Might not hurt to look into the reason the foam came loose before looking at the tiles that were damaged by the foam.

[TLBSHOW]

Look into it all I say!

[John Jamieson]

The picture going around does seem to show the renforced carbon/carbon "glove" leading edges were peeling off, one by one. There are 22 on each wing about 2 feet long each and bolted at each end. 22 gap fillers, prevent hot gas from getting behind them.

Two of those "gloves" look like they're sticking out ahead of the wing. Many more, closer to the front seem to be gone already. Burning aluminum trails behind the wing.

[supercat]

As I've suggested before, how hard would it be to coat the shuttle with an impact-resistant coating which could burn off harmlessly on re-entry?

[John Jamieson]

First suggested about 1978. None could find the right stuff to use.

[Enlightiator]

NASA also is running tests at Ames and other centers around the country to assess the impact of foam debris that struck a portion of the shuttle Columbia's left wing shortly after liftoff.

Gasp- this can't be, dozens of freepers have already ruled out the foam damage theory by misconstruing an AP story in this very thread:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/836736/posts.

And how can anyone possibly say that this little black pixel is a jagged edge on the shuttles left wing leading edge during re-entry:
. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/838367/posts

[CyberAnt]

I thought it was supposed to come loose - but not at lift-off.

[supercat]

First suggested about 1978. None could find the right stuff to use.

What's the difficulty? Too many materials would pose a hazard as they burn off or what?

[John Jamieson]

To tell you the truth, I can't remember why it wasn't done. The material would have to very light, burn away clean, and yet be much stronger than the tile. Maybe the right combination wasn't possible.

[PackerBoy]

From what I have read, they have had problems with it coming loose before -- but it never caused any serious problems. It is a spray on light weight insulation that becomes brittle like styrofoam. The purpose of it is to maintain the proper (cold) temperature for the liquid fuel in the main fuel tank.

With the vibration and speed, it often cracks and pieces do fall off.

[CyberAnt]

What you've said is exactly what I also have heard. However, I also found out that several years ago they changed the composition of the foam (no Freon - to be more environmentally friendly), and this new foam did not work as well and was causing more damage to the tiles.

I was told that NASA was granted a waiver in order to use the Freon, but that they stayed with the new foam. Why I don't know.