The Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) has delayed publication of its 400-page report into the STS 107 accident from late July to around 27 August.
Meanwhile, it has been revealed that the leading edge of a wing of the Space Shuttle Atlantis was breached during re-entry in 2000.
The CAIB released a preliminary report on 11 July detailing the damage caused to part of the left wing leading edge of Columbia during the launch of STS 107 that ultimately led to its destruction and the loss of its seven crew during re-entry on 1 February.
It is estimated that a breach of 150-250mm (6-10in) was caused to the reinforced carbon-carbon panel No 8 by a chunk of insulation shed from the bipod region of the external tank.
The impact also caused surrounding cracks and broke a lug fitting which caused a T-seal between panels 8 and 9 to open and close during entry, resulting in the intermittent heating observed in telemetry readings.
Atlantis suffered a small breach on a wing leading edge butterfly gap filler between two heatshield panels during re-entry at the end of the STS 101 mission to the International Space Station in May 2000.
The breach was caused by an improperly installed seal during an overhaul at Boeing in 1997.
Source: Flight International
