wbt@cbnews.ATT.COM (William B. Thacker) (01/20/89)
In article <890117110612.0000012E121@grouch.JPL.NASA.GOV> PJS@GROUCH.JPL.NASA.GOV (Peter Scott) writes:
:
: MAJOR ORBITER MODIFICATIONS
:
: . Brake Improvements - These changes were made to eliminate mechanical
:and thermally-induced brake damage, improve steering margin and reduce the
:effects of tire damage or failure. Modifications for the STS-26 flight were
:the thicker stators, stiffened main landing gear axles, tire pressure
:monitoring and anti-skid avionics.
Anti-lock braking system...
: . 17-Inch Disconnect - A positive hold-open latch design feature for the
:main propulsion system disconnect valves between the orbiter and the
:external tank (ET) was developed to ensure that the valve remains open during
:powered flight until nominal ET separation is initiated.
Locking gas cap...
: . Thermal Protection System - TheTPS was improved in areas on the orbiter
:in the wind elevon cove region, nose landing gear door, lower wing trailing
:edge sruface and elevon leading edge.
Climate control...
: . Crew Escape System - A pyrotechnically jettisoned side hatch, crew
:parachutes and survival gear and a curved telescoping pole to aid the
:crew in clearing the wing, have been added to give a bail-out capability
:in the event of a problem where runway landing is not possible. An egress
:slide has been added to facilititate rapid postlanding egress from the
:vehicle under emergency conditions.
Sun roof...
<sigh> Seems that the US space industry has finally begun to respond
to consumer demand. It's significant that these modifications were
installed only after the Japanese announced their entry into the space
market. Undoubtedly, NASA realized that imported space shuttles would
come with all these features standard, and wanted to beat the Japanese
to the punch.
Now, all we need is a 5-mission, 50 million mile warranty and a sporty,
turbo model.
8-) 8-) 8-)
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