[sci.space.shuttle] Shuttle Status for 08/19/88

scott@ubvax.UB.Com (Scott Scheiman) (08/23/88)

>           .... A team of 17 Rockwell workers are on site performing
>           the repair operation with only four at a time on the aft
>           bulkhead....

I've had a few questions about this repair and I hope some of you out
there can answer them:

Where exactly did they need to cut to access the leak?  Is it inside the
cargo bay?  Did any tiles need to be removed?

Here's my  big question:  Since they had to cut through metal, I presume
they produced metal shards or grit or dust or something.  Where might
this have fallen?  How do they control where it goes, or if they have to
clean it up afterward, how are they going to do that, and how do they
know they cleaned up thoroughly?

Finally, would someone please explain how they're patching the holes?  I
have no idea what a "doubler" is.  And is this repair to the bulkhead
temporary or is it expected to become a permanent part of the orbiter?

Thanks for any answers.
-- 
"Ribbit!"         Scott Scheiman   (408) 562-5572        Ungermann-Bass, Inc.
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