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NASA astronauts say shuttle fix risky, but simple
Reuters ^ | 8/2/05 | Irene Klotz

Posted on 08/02/2005 7:12:39 AM PDT by Tumbleweed_Connection

Discovery's astronauts had misgivings about the risky spacewalk mission to the shuttle's fragile belly but agreed to try the repair because it seemed relatively easy to do, crewmembers said on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Steve Robinson will make space history when he ventures out to Discovery's smooth underside to try to remove two loose fiber strips sticking out from between the crucial heat-resistant tiles.

"Like most kinds of repairs, it's conceptually very simple, but it has to be done very, very carefully," Robinson said during a news conference from space on NASA's first shuttle flight since the 2003 Columbia disaster.

The protruding strips are small -- only an inch (2.5 cm) long -- but NASA fears they could affect aerodynamics and dangerously add to the intense heat on the shuttle as it re-enters Earth's atmosphere on Aug. 8.

The primary danger is that the tiles, which can withstand hellish heat, are easily broken if touched.

Robinson, who, along with Soichi Noguchi, has already made two spacewalks on the mission, will become the first astronaut in the 24-year shuttle program to venture out to the belly of an orbiting spacecraft.

NASA is undertaking the risky repair because it does not want to lose another shuttle and crew because of heat damage, as it did with Columbia.

The astronauts admitted they initially had reservations when told about the repair mission, but said they agreed with it now because it seemed like an easy thing to do.

"I think a number of us, we did have some misgivings. We were concerned about the implications of it and what was motivating it," said Australia's Andy Thomas.

"It's a very close call," added mission specialist Charles Camarda. "We think it is a pretty simple (spacewalk) if all goes well."

FRAGILE TILES

Robinson said his biggest concern will be to avoid butting the shuttle tiles with his helmet.

"The tiles, as we all know, are fragile and a crewmember out there is pretty large mass," Robinson said. "The thing I'll be watching most closely is the top of my helmet because I'll be leaning in toward the orbiter. So that's what I'll be most careful with."

Discovery is docked to the International Space Station and orbiting 220 miles above the Earth. Robinson's repair mission was tacked on to an already scheduled spacewalk to attach a storage platform to the station.

Robinson will be maneuvered to the shuttle's belly on the space station's 50-foot (15-meter) robot arm, then try to pluck the thin, ceramic-covered strips out with his gloved fingers.

If that fails, he will tug at them with forceps and if that does not work he will try to saw them off with a makeshift handsaw put together by the shuttle crew.

"There won't be yanking going on. It will be a gentle pull with my hand. The main tools I plan to use are right here," he said, holding out his hand and pinching his fingers together.

Columbia's demise was caused not by protruding strips but loose foam from the external fuel tank colliding with a wing at launch and punching a hole in the heat shield. Superheated gases entered the breach during re-entry and the shuttle broke apart over Texas, killing its seven astronauts.

After the accident, NASA adopted new procedures, spent $1 billion on safety upgrades and built equipment to inspect the shuttle while it is in orbit.

Videos showed loose tank foam at Discovery's launch last week and minor damage to the shuttle but nothing dangerous, said Wayne Hale, deputy shuttle program manager. The protruding strips are not believed to have been caused by impact damage, but perhaps poor adhesion.

But the recurrence of the foam problem prompted NASA to order a grounding of its shuttle fleet.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: discovery; diy; doityourself; nasa; news; shadetreeastronaught; shuttle; shuttlediscovery; spaceshuttle
I really just wanted to post the title
1 posted on 08/02/2005 7:12:40 AM PDT by Tumbleweed_Connection
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To: Tumbleweed_Connection
"The thing I'll be watching most closely is the top of my helmet because I'll be leaning in toward the orbiter. So that's what I'll be most careful with."

I might suggest a pillow, duct-taped to the top of the helmet. Makes a good picture, too.

2 posted on 08/02/2005 7:16:39 AM PDT by Izzy Dunne (Hello, I'm a TAGLINE virus. Please help me spread by copying me into YOUR tag line.)
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To: Izzy Dunne

I suspect NASA thinks they are too good for duct-tape. Hmmph!


3 posted on 08/02/2005 7:20:05 AM PDT by Gamecock (We don't beat "nice" people to a bloody pulp, nail them on a cross and then watch them suffocate.)
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To: Tumbleweed_Connection
NASA fears they could affect aerodynamics and dangerously add to the intense heat on the shuttle as it re-enters Earth's atmosphere...

With that much wind friction, they'd likely be pushed down flat to the belly. Whether their burning would endanger the ship is possible, I suppose. But I doubt the aerodynamics would be greatly effected.

4 posted on 08/02/2005 7:22:18 AM PDT by theDentist (The Dems have put all their eggs in one basket-case: Howard "Belltower" Dean.)
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To: Tumbleweed_Connection

Every Redneck's choice for body repairs..........

5 posted on 08/02/2005 7:33:19 AM PDT by Red Badger (Want to be surprised? GOOOOGLE your own name. Want to have fun? GOOOOGLE your neighbor's......)
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To: Izzy Dunne

bump


6 posted on 08/02/2005 7:37:32 AM PDT by meema
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To: Tumbleweed_Connection

Um, they're in space! Of course it's risky. I'm hoping to watch on NASA TV. I just hope this "fix" does cause more harm than good.


7 posted on 08/02/2005 7:38:30 AM PDT by newzjunkey (Choose LIFE. Circumcision = Barbarism. It's HIS body; what about HIS right to choose?)
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To: newzjunkey

I think you may want to re-word you post. I hope


8 posted on 08/02/2005 7:43:35 AM PDT by sargunner
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To: newzjunkey

It's same old with the media/liberals, how would America ever have advanced to the world leader position we now occupy if nobody was willing to take a chance let alone view every damn opportunity from a negative perspective


9 posted on 08/02/2005 8:00:33 AM PDT by Tumbleweed_Connection (I urge Roberts to support all sections of the Constitution which uphold abortion)
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To: Red Badger
Some bailing wire might be useful also and Gun tape for sure (super duct tape for the non army gunner types)...
Sounds like NASA has turned into a Okie spit and bailing wire operation...

The biggest problem with NASA is that too many women are in charge.. Women managers are "monkey see monkey do" types, worthless in a crisis... (Boo Hoo, it isn't my fault!)
10 posted on 08/02/2005 8:18:15 AM PDT by timdel33
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To: timdel33

Welcome to Free republic!..............


11 posted on 08/02/2005 8:37:22 AM PDT by Red Badger (Want to be surprised? GOOOOGLE your own name. Want to have fun? GOOOOGLE your neighbor's......)
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To: Tumbleweed_Connection; All

Supposed to start this repair task at 6:49AM Eastern on Wednesday morning.


12 posted on 08/02/2005 9:03:35 AM PDT by newzjunkey (Choose LIFE. Circumcision = Barbarism. It's HIS body; what about HIS right to choose?)
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To: Tumbleweed_Connection

Live link can be found at: http://news.yahoo.com/fc/science/space_shuttle;_ylt=A9FJqaxsFPBCMfsAggGs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTBidXVxMjQyBHNlYwNhbHNvLXlu

Scroll down a little -- it is on the left hand side.


13 posted on 08/02/2005 6:04:00 PM PDT by BenLurkin (O beautiful for patriot dream - that sees beyond the years)
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