A detailed review of the failure of a Block II Space Shuttle main engine (SSME) at NASA's Stennis Space Center, Mississippi, on 16 June, reveals that tape was left in the engine during processing, contaminating the fuel system.
The failure happened 5sec into a planned 200sec SSME static test, which was designed to validate a new high-pressure fuel turbopump. Damage included a broken fuel pump and pre-burner-turbine, and loosened turbine blades.
The piece of tape fell into the fuel system, and came to rest on the fuel and oxygen pre-burner injectors, blocking the multiple fuel inlet holes.
This caused an oxygen-rich mix which increased temperatures beyond the engine's normal operating limits and melted components. The computer engine controller then shut down the engine.
• NASA has awarded Lockheed Martin Space Systems a $1.15 billion contract to build 35 more 46.9m (160ft) tall Space Shuttle super-lightweight external tanks (ET).
This is the first contract exclusively for this ET model, which flew for the first time in June 1998. The latest ET weighs 3,401kg (7500lb) less and allows more payload to be carried into orbit than earlier versions.
Source: Flight International
