rax8@citek.UUCP (Steve Roberson ) (09/19/90)
Since these leaks seem to be a recent development, I wonder if it has to do with the age of the spacecraft? Columbia is the oldest shuttle. Does it also have the most flights logged? At one time NASA advertised that the shuttles had a lifetime of "100 flights". Well, they have been wrong before (remember that 2-week turnaround claim?) so perhaps this spacecraft has reached it's limit? I know that so much maintenance is done between flights that probably few original parts are still in use, but isn't it possible that Columbia is simply worn out? Will someone please post a list of the number of flights per vehical?
vonk@hpnmdla.HP.COM (Steve Vonk) (09/20/90)
I read something about some glass beads being left in some of the valves. Does anyone know anything about that? Steve Vonk
gregc@cimage.com (Greg Cronau/1000000) (09/21/90)
In article <3250004@hpnmdla.HP.COM> vonk@hpnmdla.HP.COM (Steve Vonk) writes: >I read something about some glass beads being left in some of the valves. >Does anyone know anything about that? > >Steve Vonk Apparently the main 17 inch Hydrogen feed line disconnect was manufactured at a plant that also had a manufacturing operation occuring on the other side of the plant that involved small glass beads. The disconnects became contaminated with airborne glass beads that scratched the seal surfaces. This info was posted by someone else on the net a few weeks ago. gregc@cimage.com