Re: Shuttle grounded again


"Len Lekx" <LFLekx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:qh5le1p4v4r6aamle284l567nrfmum9dkf@xxxxxxxxxx
> On Fri, 29 Jul 2005 02:01:47 GMT, "David" <david06@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> wrote:
>
>>They should wrap it in panty hose.
>
> With sewn-together old socks, for all I care. The mere fact that
> they've been compromising safety to add a mere 1000 pounds of payload
> (less than 1/30th of its' total capacity...) is verging on criminal!
> :-)
>

Now wait a minute.

First of all the weight difference you are talking about was nothing more
than paint. The paint gave no additional structural integrity to the foam.
It did make the Shuttle stack look nice but when you consider that removing
it means an additional half ton of science experiments or life support
supplies for the crew of the Space Station, well, orange looks beautiful to
me. When deletion of the paint was first considered there was concern that
rain could penetrate into the foam adding weight but extensive testing was
performed and the foam was more impervious to water than had ever been
expected. So you choose, 1000 lbs. of paint or 1000 lbs. of valuable
cargo.

Secondly, netting, shrink wrap, foam chemistry and many other reinforcement
methods have been studied. There were also studies on foam application
methods, insulation shaping and alternate insulation techniques but none
have been deemed viable. Yet. Stay tuned for further developments. This
problem will be fixed and we will fly again.

Thirdly, if you think we'd reject an idea that would improve flight safety
for a few extra pounds of payload then consider the fact that these are
people we know personally. There is no one who cares more about the crew of
the Space Shuttle than those of us who work in the NASA community. The
astronauts are more than just names to us. They are our coworkers, our
neighbors and our friends. We work every day to improve the safety of space
flight. I take issue with anyone who would suggest otherwise and suggest
that they ask themselves if they would be as careless with their friends and
coworkers' lives as they suggest we are.

Dave


.

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