As many are aware, a piece of insulating foam liberated itself from the external tank and impacted the leading edge of Columbia during ascent on STS-107. It is believed that this impact left a hole in the thermal protection system (TPS), which protects the shuttle from hot plasma generated during re-entry. Unfortunately, the orbiter did not have the margin to withstand this compromise, and it is believed that the result of these events caused the loss of crew and orbiter.


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    Title :

    Implementing Recommendations of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board


    Contributors:
    Ottens, B. (author) / La, A. (author) / Brown, T. (author) / Parker, B. (author) / Jenings, D. (author) / Townsend, J. (author)

    Publication date :

    2004-01-01


    Type of media :

    Preprint


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English