FOAM HAS PLAGUED NASA FOR 5 YEARS

Mercury News ^

[fooman]

NASA has asked that tests involving freon free foam be witheld. What are they hiding?

Article shows a NASA engineer noting the difficulties in creating the same characteristics.

[TomServo]

When I was young I knew Chris Kraft.

Awesome.

[fooman]

Please lets stop the flame wars.

I have found that we work best when we continually add info plus our expertease.

There are Freepers with space experience including NASA and the NRL.

It may turn out to not be the foam, but we want the whole truth.

When you change a part in a large machine/hardware/software you must:

- Affirmatively show that the component performs with the same specs.

- Regression test with the whole system.

Since this thread has started addtional info has come to light that the relative speed of the object is probably 61 mph and it COULD be up to 50 kilos (110lbs) NOT 2 lbs.

That where the facts are currently taking us. Based on todays NASA press conference on CSPAN, lots of good foam related questions are being queued up for tomorrow, including the environmental material issue.

[Jael]

You want to know what is really disrespectful to the dead? People who get on live threads and post about how upset they are and manipulate people into sending THEM comfort posts, as if THEY were the ones who had dead family members.

But try discussing why those people did die? Oh no, they will trash your thread.

[Ramtek57]

I've got a question for any Rocket Scientists out there.
How come the Shuttle has to come in at 12,000 mph and at 40 degrees? Why can't they just use the engines to slow down to 1000 mph and just fall to earth. There would be a whole lot less heat generated.

[fooman]

Robert Bazel talking about this story now on CNBC.

[HairOfTheDog]

And the leaked memo is just adding fuel to the fire.

The person who leaked that memo, without context or counterpoint is the one who has committed the most egregious act so far. A person trying to help does not do that. I am sure there is an "I TOLD YOU SO" memo in the files for every conceivable part and system on that shuttle. Every single part and system has been debated, weighed, and tested. It was irresponsible to leak it. Whoever it was is a snake, not a hero.

[fooman]

Lisa Meyers doing a hit piece on tile repair...

[isthisnickcool]

Awesome.

Just to clarify, I'm not THAT old:)

He came into a place I worked during the summer in. I liked reading about the space program and anything dealing with electronics. I remember one time Mr. Kraft told me "someday you will have your very on computer, right on your desk. And eventually you will be able to talk to it and it will talk back". And just a few years later I did have that computer on my desk. And today I'm surrounded by them. They don't seem too good at listening to me but this one seems to talk back. Especially when I post here.

[Ramtek57]

I've got a question for any Rocket Scientists out there.
How come the Shuttle has to come in at 12,000 mph and at 40 degrees? Why can't they just use the engines to slow down to 1000 mph and just fall to earth. There would be a whole lot less heat generated.

[isthisnickcool]

Why can't they just use the engines to slow down to 1000 mph and just fall to earth. There would be a whole lot less heat generated.

Not enough fuel. It would take a huge amount of fuel. Impossible amount.

[isthisnickcool]

And HUGE engines.

[fooman]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/836001/posts

Story growing legs. Knight Ridder and Newsmax picking it up.

[fooman]

I had heard that programs like the x43 would allow for powered re-entry.

Is that true?

[TomServo]

Just to clarify, I'm not THAT old:)

Lol - well, I am. My Father worked in the space program, for a subcontractor. I loved going to where he worked and checking out all of their tests, experiments, etc. Of course, I had no idea what I was looking at, but it was fun and interesting anyway.

[justshe]

have no idea why you pinged me to your post, but please remove me from your ping list.

I have read thru the remainder of this thread, and I do have one question. For only having been registered here for 2 months, who appointed you the thread cop? Your posts are extremely combative and, actually, I question WHY?

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Please try and keep the facts straight. People might start to question your motives should you not adhere to the facts. Thanks.
193 posted on 02/04/2003 3:15 PM PST by Jael

They seem to have some emotional problems. I suspect that they tie a huge part of their identy into being what they assume are super freepers.
In reality, a good freeper always wants to the truth to be told, no matter what.
216 posted on 02/04/2003 3:53 PM PST by Jael

So what's your problem? The article says what he said it says. Deal.
217 posted on 02/04/2003 3:56 PM PST by Jael You want to know what is really disrespectful to the dead? People who get on live threads and post about how upset they are and manipulate people into sending THEM comfort posts, as if THEY were the ones who had dead family members.
But try discussing why those people did die? Oh no, they will trash your thread.
223 posted on 02/04/2003 4:01 PM PST by Jael

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[bonesmccoy]

Do you seriously believe that the bonding agent used under the TPS is the culprit?

Give me a fricking break.

Where are you from Lockmart?

[ninonitti]

Yep, protecting some insects, birds, and kangaroo rats is far more important to environmentalists

I seem to recall reading somewhere that prior to the Challenger loss the insulating material that formed part of the O ring assembly consisted of an asbestoscompound. It was replaced with a more politically correct and less effective material. The cold temps and the less effective compound were blamed for the failure

Anyone else recall this?

[Freee-dame]

bump

[CharacterCounts]

I agree with you 100% and if it is the foam you can bet that NASA will shout it from the rooftops and the environmentalists crowd are going to be the ones have a "bad day!"

Don't count on it.

NASA may shout it from the rooftops, but the environmentalists crowd will think of some excuse. They always do and the always get cover from the media.

[DugwayDuke]

"But why is foam made with Freon any better?"

I've been bothered about that as well. I wonder if the phrase "manufactured with freon" might be misleading. Freon has many properties among those being it's usefulness as a solvent or as a cleaner/degreaser. It was commonly used for cleaning electrical circuit boards. One wonders if it's application to this foam might have been as a cleanser/degreaser for the tank prior to the installation of the foam. One would think that if the tank is not properly cleaned then the foam might be subject to losing it's bond and might fall off....

That said, it is possible to get waivers for the use of freon where it is application critical. I manage a defense program where I was required to process such a waiver.

We can rant and rave about how the environmentalists might have contributed to this disaster but they have a perfect excuse. They will claim that they didn't say we couldn't use freon. Only that a waiver was required. They will turn this around until it is NASAs fault. BTW, these waivers aren't easy to get.