Wed, Jun 18, 2008
39-A Damaged During Discovery Launch
Officials with NASA allowed journalists to take a look at damage
to Pad 39-A at Kennedy Space Center on Monday, two weeks after the
launch of space shuttle Discovery caused some 5,300 heat-resistant bricks to
break off from a flame-retardant blast wall.
The Associated Press reports the scene resembled "the aftermath
of a volcanic eruption," with brick fragments still scattered
around the site. Cleanup efforts have reportedly stalled due to
traces of asbestos found in the bricks.
The "flame trench" was installed when Pad 39-A was constructed
by the US Army Corps of Engineers in the 1960s, and was used for
the Apollo moon missions. NASA said it appears some of the bricks
weren't applied properly at that time, allowing gaps between the
bricks and the adhesive used to form and widen over the years.
Before Discovery's June 2 launch, the worse damage to the pad
occurred during the doomed January 28, 1986 launch of the shuttle
Challenger... when about 800 bricks were lost.
Despite the damage, NASA is optimistic the pad will be repaired
in time for the early October launch of the space shuttle Atlantis.
Senior managers will meet June 26 to discuss options, with the most
likely scenario involving the installation of a steel mesh cover
over the roughly 75-foot-by-20-foot area where the bricks
separated. A heat-resistant coating would then be applied over the
mesh.
That repair option is quicker than forming and installing new
bricks, said NASA's lead engineer on the project, Perry Becker. It
will take months for new bricks to be delivered.
NASA is also inspecting the adjacent pad 39-B, so determine
whether its flame trench has similar flaws.
More News
Maximum Authorized Altitude A published altitude representing the maximum usable altitude or flight level for an airspace structure or route segment. It is the highest altitude on >[...]
Aero Linx: Soaring Safety Foundation (SSF) The Soaring Safety Foundation (SSF) is the Training and Safety arm of the Soaring Society of America (SSA). Our mission is to provide ins>[...]
From 2013 (YouTube Version): Dracula Lives On Through Kyle Franklin... and We're NOT Scared! ANN CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Jim Campbell speaks with Aerobatic and airshow master, Kyl>[...]
“For Montaer Aircraft it is a very prudent move to incorporate such reliable institution as Ocala Aviation, with the background of decades in training experience and aviation>[...]
Also: ForeFlight Upgrades, Cicare USA, Vittorazi Engines, EarthX We have a number of late-breaking news highlights from the 2024 Innovation Preview... which was PACKED with real ne>[...]