NASA: the surface of the cracks patched

Keywords: NASA aircraft

According to the United States space network reported that NASA draw five years ago, Colombia shuttle crash accident developed a surface repair fusion agent, the integration agent can effectively improve the security of the space shuttle, the engine rupture of emergencies occur. ' NASA with volunteer 500 days Mars life simulation

February 1, 2003, Colombia shuttle over the crash in Texas, all 7 astronauts were killed, the news shocked the world. Investigators believe that this is due to the loss of the insulation foam with high speed hit Colombia shuttle wing, causing fatal damage. Since then, NASA takes two and a half years at a cost of 14 million u.s. dollars begin to repair the remaining parts of the spacecraft. World Science report http://tech.

Steve · Pauls (Steve Poulous) is a NASA satellite launch Project Manager, he said: "we have incalculable Colombia, crash brought to us by the huge losses. If this event occurs, I believe we have the capacity to deal with this problem. ”

Pauls of this confidence comes from the latest research and development of the United States a "surface repair fusion agent" (the Tile Repair Ablator Dispensor, hereinafter referred to as T-RAD). Space shuttle surface sudden rupture, the astronauts use this tool to quickly fill the gap, surface repair fusion agent and its surrounding different objects blend to form a viscous material, the final pink will slot in the mouth. NASA plans to launch February 7, at which time the shuttle Atlantis on the space shuttle will include the integration agent case.

Paulos says that someone finds this surface repair fusion agent in the formation of pink in the space becomes a foam-like substance, which could bring to the security of the space shuttle. NASA to this specialized made a series of Earth-vacuum test, found the viscous substances not pink no changes. Paula Ross said: "I hope that in the space conditions it can be like in the face of the Earth, to maintain its performance. ”

In addition, NASA continues to improve the space shuttle external fuel tank to prevent the tragedy. NASA external tank project manager John · Chapman, foam insulators of gas bubbles in a specific environment can produce pressure, resulting in the leakage of the foam, spaceship to take off the pressure of the air flow also enables loose sheets of foam. The experts will ship with the external fuel tank connection points with electric heating, making it difficult to freeze, and looking for other materials replaced in Colombia, in the event of loss of foam. Chapman said: "we are not complacent, still constantly on the fuel tank to update design and improvement. ”