Observation on TPS damage on Orbiter

NASA photos | 2-3-03 | BoneMccoy

[XBob]

good, you got them - the radar was 1116 cst

the others, i sent also to spukets. perhaps you would like to replace the one of the others on your sit, with the horizontal one. I only needed 49 and 50.

[Budge]

1797 - 1813 - The same thoughts crossed my mind too. Then it dawned on me JimRob maintenance.

[Cold Heat]

I do not know about y'all, but I find this story laughable. Sensors are constantly being improved in the private sector. Better systems are available off the shelf now.

NASA is donating $4.5 million to a technology center in upstate New York this year, some of it aimed at developing better high-temperature sensors.

The Infotonics Technology Center, one of five Centers of Excellence in New York funded by both industry and government, specializes in designing high-resolution imaging and ultra-fast communications devices.

The destruction of the Columbia space shuttle on Feb. 1 has led to talks on developing better sensors at the technology center in this western New York town, said its chief executive, Duncan Moore.

''Now we know for sure the (shuttle's) underside got too hot,'' he said in Friday's Daily Messenger.

A hole in the shuttle's aluminum skin apparently allowed super-hot gases to penetrate the wing and destroy the spacecraft.

Sensors embedded throughout Columbia's left wing began recording unusual readings as the shuttle approached the California coast. Seven minutes after the first indication of a problem, Columbia broke up in the sky over Texas, killing its crew of seven.

[Budge]

1820 - Keep us posted, or post a report and ping. BTW, you haave Freep and e-mails. Good luck and stay safe.

[XBob]

sounds like the beginnings of a plan. Perhaps we could get a FReep for finding shuttle parts plan going. It's going to take me another month or so to get things ready. Still have to find a satellite computer hookup, and finish outfitting and filling the motor home.

seems like you got the best part of yours outfitted already (the FReeperette).

I'm not into ATV's or Motorcycles anymore though, but I know a guy who is.

Calling Blackie.

[Budge]

1821 - No need to replace them. Use what you wish.

[XBob]

yes, but that was 'unscheduled' maintenance, the site crashed. when the site came back up he scheduled maintenance for 1-3 am.

[XBob]

prices to get a change in the shuttle design start with

1. A truck to carry the paperwork and money
2. an arm and a leg
3. years and years of time
4. etc...

[DonnerT]

Don't remember who asked for this but here is the Shreveport radar on Texas Louisiana map.

Unfortunately Rand McNally doesn't put many town names on my maps.

[Budge]

1827 - I stand corrected. Last night was maintenance. I was panicky that night it went down.

[BraveMan]

Budge, that was a picture John Jamieson sent me and asked me to post. I believe it is; I've seen the picture before. JJ will have to comment on its authenticity . . .

[Budge]

Me. Thanks DT.

[DonnerT]

Haven't heard much about all the stuff that must be in Louisiana. Surely the most compact masses would travel farther?

[XBob]

there is shrieveport, right on I20. Here is mine, from 11:16 cst, which Budge kindly put up on his site:

[XBob]

1834 - the above is about 3 hours after destruction.

most debris was around Lufkin

[XBob]

remember, the Challenger. It took 2 1/2 years to get a change and flying again, which had been long before identified, and in fact, SRB design changes were COMPLETED, 18 months BEFORE the Challenger blew up.

[XBob]

many thanks - it is neat. I use a logitectrack ball marble with the ;ittle wheel. works good, but the software is not quite compatible. pressing down on the wheek (middle key) doesn't change size.

[spunkets]

This is from the image you cut. Comments?

[XBob]

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.

---

sorry, i realized that was a questionable, as soon as i hit the post button. It is a question which should have been asked and anwered long ago by NASA.

i never got into the tire shop, but i did handle the new disk/caliper assemblies - about 300 lbs each - compact and very heavy.

[XBob]

excellent - many thanks.

and the original image is flying skewed and not exactly overhead, like the drawing, so it is distorted a bit.

Now are we viewing heat or bird in the actual image.

We need a better photo interpreter individual.

I think this is just about as good as we can do here.