http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=533&ncid=533&e=3&u=/ap/2003
0708/ap_on_sc/shuttle_earlier_breach
NASA: Gases Breached Shuttle Wing in 2000
By TED BRIDIS, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - Superheated gases breached the left wing of shuttle
Atlantis during its fiery return to earth in hauntingly similar
fashion to the demise of Columbia nearly three years later, according
to internal NASA documents.
Unlike Columbia, Atlantis suffered no irreparable damage during the
May 2000 episode and, after repairs, returned to flight just four
months later. NASA ordered fleetwide changes in how employees install
protective wing panels and sealant materials.
The small leak through a seam in Atlantis' wing during its return from
the International Space Station (news - web sites) was disclosed in
documents sought by The Associated Press under the Freedom of Information
Act. The mission commander was James Halsell, a shuttle veteran who is
coordinating NASA's effort to return the shuttles to flight.
Woody Woodyard, a spokesman for the Columbia Accident Investigation
Board, said he superheated gases never penetrated deep inside Atlantis'
wing and there was no serious threat to the crew or the spacecraft.
Still, three of the Atlantis astronauts, including Halsell, said they
don't recall being told in post-flight briefings about the breach,
which was not discovered until after the shuttle had landed.
Note that this continues a pattern of institutional culture on NASA's
part; worrisome problems are designated "non-critical" after they
occur a few times and nothing blows up. The organization, she is broken...
1 responses total.
Aerospace generally follows suit. Sad and wrong on many levels.
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