Test Tank for NASA Heavy-Lift Rocket Damaged in Louisiana

space.com ^ | 025/11/2017 | Irene Klotz

[BenLurkin]

NASA has not yet determined if the damage will affect the schedule of the maiden SLS flight, whose November 2018 launch date was already in doubt, the agency said. [Photos: NASA's Space Launch System for Deep-Space Flights]

"Initial assessments indicate damage to the rear (aft) dome of a liquid-oxygen tank, which is part of the rocket's 212-foot [65 meters] core stage," NASA said in a statement. "Assessments are underway to determine the extent of the damage."

Henry declined to describe the physical damage or provide details of the accident, which occurred as the 27.6-foot-diameter (8.4 m) dome was being prepared to be welded to the rest of the tank.

"It's the last piece you need when you're welding the liquid oxygen tank," Henry said.

The tank was due to be shipped to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, for testing to ensure it can withstand the stresses of launch. NASA has already completed a liquid-hydrogen tank for qualification testing, Henry said

[17th Miss Regt]

That’ll buff right out!

[Parley Baer]

Just put some duct tape on it and it will be as good as new.

[plain talk]

Get some flex tape. “I sawed this boat in half!”

[Secret Agent Man]

Regular duct tape won’t cut it.

Need the 100 mph duct tape.

[Charles Martel]

I guess those guys are a bit rusty after eight years of Muslim Outreach work.

[digger48]

I have a friend who calls it “200 mile per hour” duct tape because he once used it on the spoiler of his funny car and it held up at that speed.

[RinaseaofDs]

It’s called Speed Tape. Expensive, but worth it.

[BwanaNdege]

I have a friend who calls it “200 mile per hour” duct tape...

Back in the days when nearly every airplane was covered with fabric instead of aluminum, tape was rated for different airspeeds. 100 mph, 150 mph, 200 mph, etc.

So far, I haven't been able to find 17,000+ mph tape, so I guess NASA is out of luck.