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Discovery Astronauts' New Mission: Space Mechanics
Washington (AFP) Jul 11, 2005 Two astronauts will exit the Discovery shuttle a few days after it lifts off into space Wednesday, take out some tools and become space mechanics to test repair techniques aimed at avoiding a repeat of the Columbia tragedy. On the mission's fifth day, Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi and US counterpart Stephen Robinson will go into space, open a stowage container in the shuttle and remove samples of damaged tiles a carbon panels similar to those protecting the orbiter's wings. The February 2003 Columbia crash was blamed on a breach in the tiles that protect the wings from extreme heat during re-entry into Earth. The break was caused when the shuttle was struck with a piece of insulating foam that broke away from an external tank during liftoff. The breach allowed superheated air to penetrate and progressively melt the aluminum structure of the left wing, according to a probe into the accident. During the space walk - three are planned for the 12-day mission - Noguchi will carefully handle a tool with his big astronaut gloves to cover a damaged sample tile with a grey paste. Robinson, meanwhile, will try to repair a carbon panel similar to those on the leading edge of the shuttle's wing. For this task, he will use a tool similar to a gun used to apply joint sealant in bathrooms. The American astronauts will apply black polymer on a carbon panel and use a spatula to spread the material. Once back on Earth, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration will put the repaired samples under extreme heat to test their resistance to see how they would handle re-entry into Earth atmosphere. NASA considers the space repairs a last resort to save a damaged shuttle. The shuttle has been overhauled to minimize the risk of debris damaging its body during blastoff, and commander Eileen Collins said she does not expect the shuttle to suffer any damage. But if Discovery does incur some damage, it will be fixed while the shuttle is docked to the International Space Station. The ISS will also take pictures of the shuttle's underbelly as it approaches the space station. Astronauts charged with repairs will be taken under the shuttle by an ISS robot arm. The mission would be risky since the robot arm, which would be close to the shuttle, could cause more damage to the spacecraft. Such a mission would be a first in the shuttle program's 24 years. Related Links SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express
First Woman Commander Of Space Shuttles Will Lead The Discovery Crew
Washington DC (SPX) Jul 11, 2005As a young woman, Eileen Collins knew what she wanted to do in life. At age 19, she went to an airfield and told flight instructors that she wouldn't leave until they taught her to fly. |
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