Spacewalk begins as NASA examines damage

[maseman]

Source: MSNBC

HOUSTON - Two astronauts began a spacewalk Monday to replace equipment on the international space station as NASA worked feverishly to decide whether the shuttle Endeavour’s crew would need to repair a gouge on the ship’s belly later this week.

The three-inch gouge apparently reaches to the shuttle's aluminum skin. Experts are busy with computer analysis and arc-jet tests in laboratories and NASA managers will meet this afternoon to decide how to proceed.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20242321/

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Man bless those people up there. They must not be able to enjoy their space work while knowing how big of a problem this is. Hopefully they can repair and make it back safely. Seems like the space program has really had so mishaps and errors lately. Due to Bush's cut-backs in budget?

[never cry wolf]

1. I know space walks can be dangerous, but what would be the downside of repairs?

Even if the simulations show it's probably ok, why take the chance?

[maseman]

2. I agree

I think with all the developments over the past few years on the goo (must be a better scientific word) that fills the cracks and gouges they would just make the repair and move-on. Must be something that they don't want to chance if they are talking about just leaving it and returning with the gouge.

[OKIsItJustMe]

3. What will the repair do to aerodynamics?

There are 3 methods to "repair" it. None of them will wind up with a perfectly smooth surface. What if the hypersonic winds grab hold of the repair and tug really hard? If it pulls loose, what will come with it? Or will it do even more damage to other tiles as a projectile?

In addition, the surrounding (currently intact) tiles are relatively fragile. Although an astronaut would (naturally) be quite careful, there's concern about accidental damage being done in the course of attempting a repair.

[never cry wolf]

4. Thanks, I was wondering

However, a 7 1/2 sq. in. 1" deep hole spanning 3 tiles is not perfectly smooth either and is also subject to the hypersonic winds. I suppose that is why they are testing and simulating.

[MilesColtrane]

7. I'm guessing that, in a reentry, heat is the first problem that must be overcome.

I don't know what the reentry temperatures on that part of the wing are, but I know they are above 1,220 degrees Fahrenheit. That's the melting point of aluminum.
Superheated plasma inside the wing would destroy any control systems in there.

I read that the gouge is actually over an aluminum spar instead of just the thin skin part of the wing. This could help to disperse some of the heat and prevent a burn through.

I'd hate to be the one making the call on whether to repair, or to chance it.

[The Stranger]

8. If the plasma gets to the wing, it may throw the orbiter into a spin, like it did Columbia.

[MilesColtrane]

5. Yeah, there's always the chance of making things worse.

Those tiles are similar to glass and are very brittle. If an astronaut "drops" a wrench, or if there is a missstep with the robotic arm they could damage even more of them.

I was surprised that part of the repair kit uses a cover that has to be screwed into the other tiles. I didn't think they could take that kind stress.

[OKIsItJustMe]

6. High-temperature reusable surface insulation (HRSI)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_shuttle_thermal_protection_system#High-temperature_reusable_surface_insulation_.28HRSI.29

...
HRSI tiles (black in color) provide protection against temperatures up to 2300° F (1260° C). There are 20,548 HRSI tiles which cover the landing gear doors, external tank umbilical connection doors, and the rest of the orbiter's under surfaces. ... The HRSI tile is basically a composite of high purity (99.8%) silica fibers (10%) and empty space (90%) that exhibits ceramic bonding. The high percentage of voids is the reason for the low density (9 lb/ft³) of the material making it light enough for spaceflight and strong enough to withstand the required G forces. The HRSI tiles have the black glossy appearance because of waterproofing coating made of tetrasilicide and borosilicate glass.
...

[L0oniX]

9. I hope the damned thing burns up because it is being used to militarize space.

I wish they would spend the money on "we the people" rather than the military industrial corporations agendas. I hope it all blows up and that they end the shuttle program. Spend the money on health care and infrastructure and education.

:wtf:

[Alexander]

10. You're hoping for the death of astronauts? You are SICK.

[Odin2005]

11. Gee, last I heard Apollo gave us a lot of new technology.

The folks who bash space exploration as a waste of money are short-sighted fools.

[lse7581011]

12. I Hope This is Sarcasm

we are talking about lives here!

[OKIsItJustMe]

13. Ummm... I believe you missed the boat

1. Space was militarized before civilians ever got involved. Before the civilian agency, NASA was created, the Army and Navy were doing US space research.
2. Early research was done using captured German V2's.
3. The shuttle was financed with the intent of using it for both civilian and military purposes; but for the most part the military went back to using the same sort of boosters which will be replacing the shuttle

I don't particularly like militarizing space, but the untimely destruction of a space shuttle won't set such programs back a bit.

[Posteritatis]

14. Yeah, that *vast* NASA budget's really a drain on everything

I really wish people who pissed all over the agency had, y'know, the first hint of a clue about it. Canada spends more on defense than the US spends on NASA, for chrissakes.

Also, calling for the deaths of seven people? I think you're on the wrong forum.

[MilesColtrane]

15. Look at the numbers.

The national budget for 2007 totals about $2.784 trillion. At $16.143 billion, spending on NASA accounts for 0.58% of this.

In the 2007 budget, the funding for social programs (calculated here as the budgets for the Department of Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Veterans Affairs, Social Security, Agriculture, and Labor) adds up to $1.581 trillion.

If NASA were shitcanned that would free up enough money to boost spending on these programs by a whopping 1.02 percent.

I personally think I get a great return on the $55 dollars a year I, and each taxpayer, pay for NASA programs.

If you're concerned about boosting the parts of the budget that help "we the people" you'll find much more money available in the Defense Department.

I doubt any of this will affect your opinion though, considering your "I hope it all blows up" statement.