Foam Tests Contradict NASA Engineers | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

** AIRBORNE 06.18.13 Aero-TV-- CLICK HERE! ** HD iPad-Friendly Version -- AIRBORNE 06.18.13 **

** AIRBORNE 06.14.13 Aero-TV-- CLICK HERE! ** HD iPad-Friendly Version -- AIRBORNE 06.14.13**

** AIRBORNE 04.01.13 SPECIAL EDITION of Aero-TV-- CLICK HERE! ** HD iPad-Friendly Version -- AIRBORNE 04.01.13 SPECIAL EDITION **

Tue, Aug 26, 2003

Foam Tests Contradict NASA Engineers

Insulating Foam Apparently Can Hold Water

 
As NASA prepares for the release of the final report from the Columbia Accident Investigation Board, new tests show insulation foam on the external fuel tank can hold water. 
 
The tests were prompted by the investigation into the Columbia disaster.  A piece of foam insulation that fell off the shuttle's huge external fuel tank is thought to have ripped a hole in the shuttle's left wing during the January 16th launch.  The gash allowed super hot gases to penetrate the heat shield during reentry to Earth's atmosphere.  Columbia disintegrated as it blasted through the upper atmosphere over Texas on February 1st. 
 
Florida Today reports the water tests are important because foam filled with water or ice would be much heavier than dry foam and more capable of causing significant damage.  NASA engineers insisted the foam could not absorb moisture.  NASA is working on a solution to the foam problem that must be in place before another shuttle will be allowed to launch.
 
FMI: www.caib.gov

Advertisement

More News

Aero-TV: Garmin’s GNC-255 –- Back To Basics

Garmin's New Aviation VHF Radios Early this year, a new series of aviation VHF COM and NAV/COM radios, the GTR and GNC series, was announced by Garmin. As the replacement products >[...]

EADS And Siemens Enter Long-Term Research Partnership

Sign MoU With Diamond Aircraft On Electric Propulsion System EADS and Siemens are entering into a long-term research partnership to introduce new electric propulsion systems that c>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (06.19.13): Ceiling

The heights above the earth's surface of the lowest layer of clouds or obscuring phenomena that is reported as broken, overcast, or obscuration, and not classified as thin or parti>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (06.19.13)

The Army Aviation Heritage Foundation The Army Aviation Heritage Foundation (AAHF) is a non-profit public educational foundation dedicated to presenting the Army Aviation story to >[...]

Aero-News: Quote Of The Day (06.19.13)

“The serial electric propulsion allows us to design airplanes with totally different characteristics than today. Vertical take-off and high-speed cruise can be realized in a >[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Change Display

Headlines Only | Headlines w/ Teasers | View Everything

Advertisement

Top Videos

Aero-TV: Garmin’s GNC-255 –- Back To Basics

Airborne 06.18.13: Reno Race Shakeup, A350 XWB First Flight, Great Lakes Flies!

Airborne 06.14.13: FAA Extorts $447K From EAA, Eurocopter's X3, TIGHAR Denials

See All

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2013 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC