The external tank for Space Shuttle return-to flight-mission STS 114/Discovery has entered a critical phase - application of insulation to the intertank area using enhanced procedures intended to prevent the foam loss that caused the Columbia disaster.
The tank has been moved into the vehicle assembly building at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans and raised to the vertical position for the application of foam insulation to the liquid hydrogen tank-to-intertank flange area, a tank structural connection point.
NASAis employing enhanced finishing procedures, including foam application using a new mould-injection procedure, under the eyes of two technicians and video surveillance.
This area of the external tank was identified as a potential debris-shedding source following the loss of the STS 107 Columbia and its crew during re-entry in February 2003.
Source: Flight International
