During launch of Space Shuttle Columbia, mission STS-107, a large piece of spray-on foam insulation (SOFI) separated from the external tank left bipod ramp area, and impacted the shuttle orbiter left wing leading edge. The impact damaged the wing leading edge, resulting in loss of orbiter thermal production. The piece of errant foam was part of a bipod ramp designed to meet thermal and aerodynamic requirements in that region of the external tank (ET). NASA redesigned the bipod. Following analysis of some large areas of foam still located on the tank, it was found that no sigificant PAL ramp sections fell off during previous shuttle ascents. To ensure that the PAL ramps will stay on during launch, a program was initiated to nondestructively inspect the PAL ramps, to find any flaws that may lead to PAL ramp failure. Inspection of the PAL ramps revealed only a small number of anomalous areas, indicating the integrity of the ramps.
Testing to avert disasters: External space shuttle tank foam
Advanced Materials & Processes ; 163 , 5 ; 27-30
2005
4 Seiten, 1 Quelle
Article (Journal)
English
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