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 Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-05.13.24

Airborne-NextGen-05.14.24

Airborne-Unlimited-05.15.24 Airborne-AffordableFlyers-05.16.24

Airborne-Unlimited-05.17.24

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

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.16.24): Instrument Runway

Instrument Runway A runway equipped with electronic and visual navigation aids for which a precision or nonprecision approach procedure having straight-in landing minimums has been>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (05.16.24)

Aero Linx: Alaska Airmen's Association The Alaska Airmen's Association includes over 2,000 members—we are one of the largest General Aviation communities in the country. We s>[...]

Airborne 05.15.24: Ghost Sq MidAir, B-2 Junked, Dream Chaser Readies

Also: Flt School Security, G600 Steep-Approach, Honduran Aid, PW545D Cert Two aircraft performing at the Fort Lauderdale Air Show clipped wings during a routine last Sunday, spooki>[...]

Airborne 05.10.24: Icon Auction, Drunk MedEvac Pilot, Bell ALFA

Also: SkyReach Parts Support, Piper Service Ctr, Airliner Near-Miss, Airshow London The Judge overseeing Icon's convoluted Chapter 11 process has approved $9 million in Chapter 11 >[...]

Airborne Affordable Flyers 05.16.24: PRA Runway, Wag-Aero Sold, Young Eagles

Also: Paramotor Champ's, Electric Ultralight, ICON BK Update, Burt Rutan at Oshkosh! The Popular Rotorcraft Association is reaching out for help in rebuilding their private runway >[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2024 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC