Observation on TPS damage on Orbiter

NASA photos | 2-3-03 | BoneMccoy

[bonesmccoy]

In recent days the popular media has been focusing their attention on an impact event during the launch of STS-107. The impact of External Tank insulation and/or ice with the Orbiter during ascent was initially judged by NASA to be unlikely to cause loss of the vehicle. Obviously, loss of the integrity of the orbiter Thermal Protection System occured in some manner. When Freepers posted the reports of these impacts on the site, I initially discounted the hypothesis. Orbiters had sustained multiple impacts in the past. However, the size of the plume in the last photo gives me pause.

I'd like to offer to FR a few observations on the photos.

1. In this image an object approximately 2-3 feet appears to be between the orbiter and the ET.

2. In this image the object appears to have rotated relative to both the camera and the orbiter. The change in image luminosity could also be due to a change in reflected light from the object. Nevertheless, it suggests that the object is tumbling and nearing the orbiter's leading edge.

It occurs to me that one may be able to estimate the size of the object and make an educated guess regarding the possible mass of the object. Using the data in the video, one can calculate the relative velocity of the object to the orbiter wing. Creating a test scenario is then possible. One can manufacture a test article and fire ET insulation at the right velocity to evaluate impact damage on the test article.

OV-101's port wing could be used as a test stand with RCC and tile attached to mimic the OV-102 design.

The color of the object seems inconsistent with ET insulation. One can judge the ET color by looking at the ET in the still frame. The color of the object seems more consistent with ice or ice covered ET insulation. Even when accounting for variant color hue/saturation in the video, the object clearly has a different color characteristic from ET insulation. If it is ice laden insulation, the mass of the object would be significantly different from ET insulation alone. Since the velocity of the object is constant in a comparison equation, estimating the mass of the object becomes paramount to understanding the kinetic energy involved in the impact with the TPS.

3. In this image the debris impact creates a plume. My observation is that if the plume was composed primarily of ET insulation, the plume should have the color characteristics of ET insulation. This plume has a white color.

Unfortunately, ET insulation is orange/brown in color.

In addition, if the relative density of the ET insulation is known, one can quantify the colorimetric properties of the plume to disintegrating ET insulation upon impact.

Using the test article experiment model, engineers should fire at the same velocity an estimated mass of ET insulation (similar to the object seen in the still frame) at the test article. The plume should be measured colorimetrically. By comparing this experimental plume to the photographic evidence from the launch, one may be able to quantify the amount of ET insulation in the photograph above.

4. In this photo, the plume spreads from the aft of the orbiter's port wing. This plume does not appear to be the color of ET insulation. It appears to be white.

This white color could be the color of ice particles at high altitude.

On the other hand, the composition of TPS tiles under the orbiter wings is primarily a low-density silica.

In the photo above, you can see a cross section of orbiter TPS tile. The black color of the tile is merely a coating. The interior of the tile is a white, low-density, silica ceramic.

[Budge]

You are hereby directed to appear before the Shuttle Columbia Investigative Inquiry Board and to testify as to what you know and how you know it.

Speaking only for myself, I will be happy to appear.

That goes for all your wiseacre friends here at this darn thread.

As far as my wiseacre friends here, they too may be happy to appear...and teach the boys at NASA a few lessons.

[John Jamieson]

There is really no calculus in it except for that used to derive the basic algebra. The spreadheet calculates altitude, range, horizontal vel, vertical vel, total vel, flight angle, drag, and few other things every second from release. It looks like a mortgage amortation chart.

Items that can be changed, initial height, vel, sizes, density, etc. are marked with "*".

The trajectory is plotted on a chart.

It's 700k, if anyone wants a copy to play with. Excel98 or later. freepmail me.

John

[freepersup]

Full of hot air alert- re: # 1797

just funnin' with ya-

[spunkets]

Budge, what's your site name?

[spunkets]

The pic in 1491 has been rotated and had it's size changed. If you have the original that you marked up, that would be better. I don't have Budge's site name. Is the pic stored there w/o rotation? My email is spunkets@spunkets.com

[XBob]

budge,

It wasn't mine, however, I just sent you my radar, from the Lake Charles, LA radar, I recorded live at 11:16 CST

Similar, but not the same.

I just reviewed freepersup's image, with map, it is even earlier and has a better map, and shows first data, Just south of Dallas/FortWorth and the last radar hit, just NE of Deridder, Louisiana, not far from the big lake forming the border between Texas and LA.

[freepersup]

Now this would be fun- (provided I could do it, all fiscal considerations aside) I take an RV or van out west, and some search equipment to the area noted. A lap top- satelite capable, cell phone, GPS receiver/transmitter, metal detector, binoculars, all terrain vehicle, cash, etc.

Use small airplane, ultra-light, horse, motorcycle, all terrain vehicle, on foot, etc. Scour countryside while receiving directions from Team Free Republic regarding coordinants- longitude and latitude. As facts and data changes, adjust search as Team FR hones in on holy grail (that damn left gear door).

[XBob]

done.

budge - you may wish to replace one of the first duplicates with the unrotated version.

Oh crap. I just realized that I used IE to send them to you Budge, and you won't get what I have sent.

Sorry. I will have to get Opera up and running and do them again.

[XBob]

1807 - "Now this would be fun- (provided I could do it, all fiscal considerations aside) I take an RV or van out west, and some search equipment to the area noted."

That does sound like fun. I just got a 34' Motorhome, which I am gearing up for traveling to the National Parks, with a satelite hook up. Too bad you aren't female. I am looking for some companionship on the trip.

[XBob]

well, I guess you could sleep on the sofa.

[freepersup]

LOL- A gracious compromise... wink*

Come this spring, looks like you'll be the lead investigator on the Tonopah debris field search team. A NASA contractor... (for tax purposes) :)

[XBob]

well, they are sent via Opera e-mail.

spunkets, if you get two, please advise. for some reason budge can't get my IE e-mails.

[XBob]

1797 - "I am going to have to impound your FOTKI site as evidence and serve you and your pals here with subpoenas."

I will tell you FU, I thought that might be happening the other evening when FR crashed, either that or a ZOT. It happened not long after I posted my drawings at 149I, and I made sure to have backups on other comuters not under my control.

[Budge]

Budge, what's your site name? Which one?

Fotki = http://public.fotki.com/Budge/

FR Voter Fraud (where Half's pgm is) = http://home.cablelynx.com/~budgera/

[Budge]

1806 - I just uploaded 3 pics, one radar from Lake Charles and to drawings with cliped left wing, one horozionantal and one angled. You send 'em?

[Budge]

1809 - That does sound like fun. I just got a 34' Motorhome, which I am gearing up for traveling to the National Parks, with a satelite hook up. Too bad you aren't female. I am looking for some companionship on the trip.

I have a neighbor, good looking, single, FReepette, good cook. She says she is ready to go. Heck, I could even fire up the antique FReepmobile (30 foot motorhome). When we going? :)

[halfbubbleofflevel]

Turn off the model? No.

Resize it? Hold down the middle mouse button and move the mouse up/down. Ok, I goofed here since some people might only have a 2 button mouse and no scroll wheel. That would be a problem.

[freepersup]

Our gubmint may not be legally authorized to use Carnivore like software, but that wouldn't stop them from using other implements that fall into the gray areas of our laws.

It (my script) took a circuitous path in giving Budge a compliment on his FOTKI site. Thought provoking- or just downright provoking... ?

[snopercod]

good find

Well, it wasn't exactly a "find". It came from personal knowledge, since I have actually been in the tire lab at KSC.

[freepersup]

The Internet knows no bounds. I tried to hitchhike on the Internet by using the forum here at FR in order to catch a ride to the US Supreme Court during the election turmoil in 2000.

I see the makings of a search party taking place now.

Or is it a 'Playboy After Hours- On Wheels' renaissance movement ?

Budge After Hours / XBob After Hours ? LOL

I have to go run some errands. Catch all of you later. I'm traveling to Lansing, Michigan, to counter the protesters expected to turn out in mass tomorrow. I did the same thing on Jan. 29th, up in Grand Rapids. Trouble is, it's 320 miles away. Damn leftists give me heartburn. Last time, it was about 25 of us, to about 1,000 of them. I always did like a challenge. Keep on keeping on- work the problem- tighten the screws- later- freepersup