ornat@ornat.cs.unc.edu (Steven Ornat) (11/09/90)
Here is a question that I have been wondering about for a while. Does NASA still have to replace tiles on the shuttle after they return or has that problem been solved? Thanks SteveO ############################################################################# Steven M. Ornat The University of North Carolina Department of Computer Science Telephone: (919) 962-1818 CB # 3175, Sitterson Hall Fax: (919) 962-1799 Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3175 Internet: ornat@cs.unc.edu #############################################################################
eagle@hobbes.ncsu.edu (Daniel L'Hommedieu) (11/09/90)
In article <17415@thorin.cs.unc.edu> ornat@ornat.cs.unc.edu (Steven Ornat) writes: >Here is a question that I have been wondering about for a while. > >Does NASA still have to replace tiles on the shuttle after they >return or has that problem been solved? > >Thanks >SteveO > Steve, To the best of my knowledge, that problem has been solved. If my memory serves me correctly (yeah, right!), the problem was solved soon after the flight(s?) of the Enterprise. If that problem was not solved, the astronauts would have quite a time during reentry. -- Daniel C. L'Hommedieu III Internet: eagle@catt.ncsu.edu Prodigy ID: BCCJ33D dclhomm@eos.ncsu.edu
v071pzp4@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (Craig L Cole) (11/10/90)
In article <1990Nov9.131430.3134@ncsuvx.ncsu.edu>, eagle@hobbes.ncsu.edu (Daniel L'Hommedieu) writes... >In article <17415@thorin.cs.unc.edu> ornat@ornat.cs.unc.edu (Steven Ornat) writes: >>Here is a question that I have been wondering about for a while. >> >>Does NASA still have to replace tiles on the shuttle after they >>return or has that problem been solved? >> >>Thanks >>SteveO >> > >Steve, > To the best of my knowledge, that problem has been solved. If my >memory serves me correctly (yeah, right!), the problem was solved soon [B>after the flight(s?) of the Enterprise. I'm no expert, but Enterprise never had tiles. It was Columbia that lost all her tiles after riding the Boeing 905 from California to Florida. I'm not certain why they all fell off, but the problem has been pretty well solved. A lot of the shuttles tiles have been replaced by thermal blankets. These blankets cover a couple of square feet each and cover the less heated areas of the shuttle. BUT - a bunch of the shuttles tiles usually have to replaced after a flight anyway, because some of them are damaged launch and/or reentry. The tiles either are chipped, or sometimes crack. There was a great article a month or so ago in Discover about the work that goes into the shuttle between launches, including the exhausting work checking and replacing the tiles. Craig Cole V071PZP4@UBVMS.BITNET V071PZP4@UBVMS.CC.BUFFALO.EDU
eagle@hobbes.ncsu.edu (Daniel L'Hommedieu) (11/10/90)
In article <45346@eerie.acsu.Buffalo.EDU> v071pzp4@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu writes: >In article <1990Nov9.131430.3134@ncsuvx.ncsu.edu>, eagle@hobbes.ncsu.edu (Daniel L'Hommedieu) writes... >>In article <17415@thorin.cs.unc.edu> ornat@ornat.cs.unc.edu (Steven Ornat) writes: >>>Here is a question that I have been wondering about for a while. >>> >>>Does NASA still have to replace tiles on the shuttle after they >>>return or has that problem been solved? >>> >>>Thanks >>>SteveO >>> >> >>Steve, >> To the best of my knowledge, that problem has been solved. If my >>memory serves me correctly (yeah, right!), the problem was solved soon >[B>after the flight(s?) of the Enterprise. > >I'm no expert, but Enterprise never had tiles. It was Columbia that >lost all her tiles after riding the Boeing 905 from California to >Florida. I'm not certain why they all fell off, but the problem >has been pretty well solved. > >Craig Cole >V071PZP4@UBVMS.BITNET >V071PZP4@UBVMS.CC.BUFFALO.EDU I may be wrong. I always thought it was the Columbia that rode on the Boeing. -- Daniel C. L'Hommedieu III Internet: eagle@catt.ncsu.edu Prodigy ID: BCCJ33D dclhomm@eos.ncsu.edu
millard@eos.arc.nasa.gov (Millard Edgerton) (11/10/90)
Tiles are ALL inspected and damaged ones, now 30-50 range, are replaced! *************************************************************************** * Intelligent people talk about ideas. | Standard disclaimer(s) * * Average people talk about things. | Millard J. Edgerton, WA6VZZ * * Small people talk about other people. | millard@eos.arc.nasa.gov * *************************************************************************** * Fax 415-604-6475 | Voice 415-604-3480 * * Employed by Sterling Software at NASA Ames Research Center. * ***************************************************************************
megazone@wpi.WPI.EDU (MEGAZONE 23) (11/10/90)
In article <1990Nov9.222508.14408@ncsuvx.ncsu.edu> eagle@hobbes.ncsu.edu (Daniel L'Hommedieu) writes: >I may be wrong. I always thought it was the Columbia that rode on the >Boeing. They all RIDE on the ex-American Airlines 747 but the Enterprise is the one that was used for the drop testing. ############################################################################### # "Calling Garland operator 7G," EVE Email megazone@wpi.wpi.edu # # MEGAZONE, aka DAYTONA, aka BRIAN BIKOWICZ Bitnet Use a gateway. Sorry. # ###############################################################################
henry@zoo.toronto.edu (Henry Spencer) (11/13/90)
In article <17415@thorin.cs.unc.edu> ornat@ornat.cs.unc.edu (Steven Ornat) writes: >Does NASA still have to replace tiles on the shuttle after they >return or has that problem been solved? The tiles generally no longer fall off -- just as well! -- but still suffer minor damage during takeoff and landing. A few dozen tiles are replaced after each mission, usually because of surface nicks and dents. The really labor-intensive part of the tiles -- inspecting, testing the strength of the bond to the orbiter skin, and measuring edge gaps for *each and every tile* after each mission -- continues, however. It has been reduced a bit by using large one-piece blankets rather than small tiles in low-temperature areas. -- "I don't *want* to be normal!" | Henry Spencer at U of Toronto Zoology "Not to worry." | henry@zoo.toronto.edu utzoo!henry
gandalf@pro-canaveral.cts.com (Ken Hollis) (11/20/90)
Greetings and Salutations: >From: henry@zoo.toronto.edu (Henry Spencer) >Subject: Re: Shuttle tiles >In article <17415@thorin.cs.unc.edu> ornat@ornat.cs.unc.edu (Steven Ornat) write >s: >>Does NASA still have to replace tiles on the shuttle after they >>return or has that problem been solved? > >The tiles generally no longer fall off -- just as well! -- but still suffer >minor damage during takeoff and landing. A few dozen tiles are replaced For STS - 41, Flight 11 OV-103 (Ulysses) 11 tiles were replaced because of damage (one from window #6 R&R last flow). There were 16 impacts of 1" or greater, 76 total impacts. >after each mission, usually because of surface nicks and dents. > >The really labor-intensive part of the tiles -- inspecting, testing the >strength of the bond to the orbiter skin, and measuring edge gaps for >*each and every tile* after each mission -- continues, however. It has The inspection / replacement process consists of the following: Inspect the tiles on the ship and write a problem report on each that has any defect. The disposition falls basically into two categories: 1) Minor repairs : A gray "slurry" is baked onto the surface for those areas where minor nicks / dings have taken place. 2) Major repairs: A "Splash" mold is made of the removed tile, sent to Lockheed & the new tile fabricated, sent back and installed. A pull test is performed ONLY on those tiles replaced, and the associated gap fillers & thermal barriers, not on every tile. All blankets & tiles are waterproofed (used to be ScotchGuard, don't know what it is now...). This insures that the face of the tile does not pop off because of water that has soaked into the tile & blankets that freezes & breaks the tile on ascent. >been reduced a bit by using large one-piece blankets rather than small >tiles in low-temperature areas. One-piece blankets are FRSI (Felt Reusable Surface Insulation), FIB (Flexible Insulation Blankets), & TCS (Thermal Control System) Blankets >"I don't *want* to be normal!" | Henry Spencer at U of Toronto Zoology >"Not to worry." | henry@zoo.toronto.edu utzoo!henry > Ken Hollis ProLine: gandalf@pro-canaveral Internet: gandalf@pro-canaveral.cts.com UUCP: crash!pro-canaveral!gandalf