Space Shuttle to be Outfitted with New Sensors 166
Norman at Davis writes "Space.com is reporting on new "sensors designed to pinpoint potential damage from falling debris or other objects [which] will be installed into the wings of NASA's remaining shuttle fleet...." Unfortunately, the sensors won't be too sophisticated, MSNBC reports that 'the extent of damage would still have to be determined by an inspection by astronauts in orbit, using an extension boom equipped with cameras and lasers.' Apparently NASA is in the process of developing three techniques which will allow astronauts to spacewalk and repair holes up to fourteen inches in diameter. Finally... the Australian Broadcasting Corporation is also running an article on the topic, stating that "not only will computers provide state-of-the-art imaging, but Defence Department satellites will supplement inspections made by the shuttle astronauts themselves and photographs taken from the International Space Station." 'NASA's efforts to improve its ability to detect whether the shuttle has been struck during flight have evolved remarkably since Columbia's January launch, when engineers watched loops of film sent to Miami for development and projected against a wall by a noisy old projector.' Hopefully this new technology will prevent another Columbia-like disaster, as a space shuttle replacement is looking less likely by the day."
Re:Spacewalk? (Score:5, Informative)
Re:14 inch hole? (Score:5, Informative)
I could rant on and on about the foolishness of the shuttle (I work at NASA) but I wont here. To much to say.
---rhad
Re:Revolutionary (Score:1, Informative)
As I understand it, there are two backups for every sensor, but the signal lines run through the same tubes. Additionally, there is one extra backup, which has signal lines which physically run through another part of the shuttle, so you cannot loose all your redundancies when the wiring loom gets damaged.
Shuttle replacement needs new materials... (Score:5, Informative)
When is titanium going to come down in price [slashdot.org] anyways? (been over 2 years now)
We need to be using new alloys [slashdot.org] for things like this instead of cell-phones!
Structural fatigue is a common fear for the shuttle and can be eliminated! [slashdot.org]
Re:It's a bandaid (for the wrong problem!) (Score:5, Informative)
The foam on the main tank can absorb moisture, so with a fresh load of liquid hydrogen (and an overnight rain)it condenses and freezes, making not a chunk of foam, but a chunk of ice break loose and hit the shuttle wing.
There's more details of course, but you get the picture. He did mention that at the temperatures and pressures of re-entry, a hairline crack would be disastrous, and such a crack would not be detected by an astronaut doing a space walk.
Re:That Ol'good Patch Kit... (Score:1, Informative)
At that time it was used only a few times then dismissed as it could mean some savings.
Mentioned in French on October 2003 Spacenews [spacenews.be]
Now that's cutting-edge technology !
Re:It's a bandaid (for the wrong problem!) (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Spacewalk? (Score:3, Informative)
On the Shuttle yes. There aren't hand-holds across most of the Shuttle - so the astronauts can't climb on the fuselage.
Even if they could, the tiles are so fragile that the slightest brush against the hull risks further damage to the insulation.
The alternative of the jet pack isn't carried on every mission because of weight and stowage concerns. Additionally not every astronaut is trained in its use.
And that still wouldn't resolve the problem of the tiles being far too fragile.
Best wishes,
Mike.
Its not the technology... (Score:3, Informative)
From what I have seen on the subject, Columbia was much the same issue. NASA knew at launch that there might have been damage, but management seemed more concerned about getting egg on its face than the fate of the shuttle. No, thats not fair. Perhaps they didn't think it was that big of a deal, but given that space flight and re-entry pushes the hardware to its limits, there is not a whole lot of extra flex built into the system. It just seems that decisions of that magnitude are made with almost careless abandon. Technology, while good, cannot fix a fundamentally flawed system.
Re:Spacewalk? (Score:3, Informative)
CAIB report (Score:3, Informative)