Quote:
Originally posted by 84porsche
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050728/ap_on_sc/space_shuttle
As a spin off of the NASA employee thread, can someone explain what is the deal with the foam problem? Why didn't this problem exist during all the other launches in the past, did it and we didn't know about it or is it a new problem. What is causing this, are they using a different products now?
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In the past this was happening but, the engineers at NASA felt it was a negligable problem....until a breakup during re-entry occured.
This is the same as the Solid Rocket Boosters. The engineers knew the "O" Rings were blowing out but felt it was not a big enough deal to warrant grounding and re-engineering. Until one blew out and blew up the shuttle.
They supposidly fixed the problem with the foam falling off the external tank, how? I do not know.
I agree with Red-Beard they should go back to the painted tank. I am sure it holds together better.
I may be wrong but, the only Shuttle to get the Painted tank was the very first mission after that they were all orange. No?