Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: HighWheeler
Seems to me that landing gear door damage (by errant foam fragments) would be a likely culprit. Breach that space with a jet of superheated material during reentry, and the tire rapidly reaches an acutely overpressurized state causing the mother of all blowouts--in the gear well.

Structural damage to the wing, either directly, or as the result of further exposure to reentry temperatures of unshielded structural elements could cause wing failure, loss of attitude control, and breakup of the orbiter.

I'm glad they are looking at all possibilities, but I think we are back to the basics on this one, much like the O rings on Challenger.

54 posted on 02/12/2003 4:02:19 AM PST by Smokin' Joe
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies ]


To: Smokin' Joe
There is a short indistinct call from the spacecraft and, almost at the same time, Kling says the landing gear tires have lost pressure.
67 posted on 02/12/2003 9:45:24 PM PST by Smokin' Joe
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson