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\u201cOMS\/RCS (Orbital Maneuvering System\/Reaction Control System) post-mission safing is scheduled for tonight. The ET umbilical doors will be opened tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Technically into her STS-134 flow \u2013 currently her final mission \u2013 Endeavour will be hoping to go out in style, mirroring her extremely low Interim Problem Report (IPR) count as enjoyed during STS-130\u2019s flow. However, she has already been charged with five IPRs, all minor issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cNew IPR-0003, a payload bay door centerline latch 13-16 limit switch is off, should be on. Engineering evaluating,\u201d added the NTD report.<\/p>\n
\u201cNew IPR-0004, an inadvertent switch throw on panel A1L (by an engineer). The encryption power switch was taken to the off position causing loss of encryption memory and the ability to uplink voice on Air-to-Ground 1 and 2. The switch was re-positioned and all systems are performing nominally.<\/p>\n
NASA mission patches
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\u201cNew IPR-0005, generated to document O2 GSE (Ground Support Equipment) being found unpressurized. Two valves were found out of configuration; system was purged to remove moisture and subsequent samples were good.\u201d<\/p>\n
STS-130 Specific Articles: http:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/tag\/sts-130\/<\/p>\n
Post Landing TPS Report:<\/p>\n
As expected, Endeavour return to Earth with zero concerns relating to her TPS, thanks to the work of the DAT engineers who had evaluated ascent footage, Flight Day 2 and 3 imagery and Late Inspection data.<\/p>\n
With only a handful of areas requiring some level of evaluation, the clearance for Endeavour\u2019s entry was given within a short period of time at each stage of the mission (No Focused Inspection, cleared for entry peer review, Late Inspection clearance).<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/02\/A322.jpg\" "\\"A3\\"")
These results were backed up by the condition of the orbiter once on the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) runway, which found nothing more than \u201cdings\u201d \u2013 some of which can be caused by the orbiter\u2019s rollout after the wheels hit the tarmac.<\/p>\n\u201cChin panel area inspection occurred at approximately 22:45 EST (Sunday). Total downgrade and TPS access occurred at approximately 23:15 EST. Overall vehicle looked very good,\u201d noted a TPS evaluation report, available on L2.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were 45 total damages on the lower surface, with 7 tiles damages with debris hit greater than 1 inch any dimension. There were no tiles with missing putty repairs noted. There were no protruding gap fillers noted.<\/p>\n
The orbiter is reviewed via three main areas during the initial TPS checks, the Forward, Middle and Aft sections \u2013 with any items of interest logged into the report.<\/p>\n
\u201c(Forward): Chin panel -441 gap filler appeared nominal. The gap filler occupied the center of the gap, as it has for the last several flights of OV-105 (Endeavour). The gap at the time of access (22:45 EST) was approximately 0.21 inch at the center line,\u201d added the report.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe left hand side gap measurement was 0.22 inch, and the right hand measurement was 0.28 inch. (photo 2) Gap filler fabric integrity was sound with no breaches or frays noted.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/02\/A220.jpg\" "\\"A2\\"")
\u201cThe forward NLGD thermal barriers along the chin panel were breached and severely debonded. Minor flow paths\/deposits were observed from OML to IML near the aft on the right hand side.\u201d<\/p>\n\u201cThe cracked tile corner on the forward canopy [Tile Number V070-391143-037] appeared to be present upon landing, however the view was limited. The left hand aft corner NLGD BRI-18 tile [V070-391044-174] was missing the aft outboard corner: 0.75 x 0.75 inch.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe arrowhead blanket sleeving did not have any protrusions. Fiducial marks were observed on the RCC nose cap; however, the Sharpie touchup (as mandated by V09AJ0.013) is necessary to ensure on orbit visibility next flight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Several references are made to the landing gear door thermal barriers, but these areas are routinely found to be in such a condition, and are only the first line of defence from the extreme temperatures of re-entry.<\/p>\n
\u201cMiddle: Left hand forward thermal barrier on the LH M (Main) LGD was torn and frayed; less than 2 inches in length. Minor frays were also noted on the aft LH MLGD and RH MLGD forward and aft barriers. All other MLGD thermal barriers appeared nominal.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe flipper door side seal [Tile number V070-198707-005] on the upper LH outboard elevon which was seen bend upward on-orbit appeared to be in the same condition upon landing.<\/p>\n
\u201cAft: ET door thermal barriers were intact and appeared nominal. There were a few broken stitches on the RH ET (External Tank) door between the forward and outboard barriers. An average amount of ET baggy material remained around the doors. ET door Paint stripes showed typical degradation.<\/p>\n
\u201cEngine 3 dome heat shield blanket had approximately 2 feet of frayed fabric in the upper inboard area. The typical peppering of aft base heat shield was noted. An aft tile on the LH rudder speed brake, right above the split-line thermal barrier was cracked [V070-292004-093].\u201d<\/p>\n
The Window 2 Insert:<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/02\/A415.jpg\" "\\"A4\\"")
Only three areas interested the DAT engineers whilst Endeavour was on orbit. One area, a ceramic insert on the flight deck\u2019s Window 2, was observed as protruding via Flight Day 3 RPM imagery requiring a high level of analysis.<\/p>\nEngineers worked on clearing this area by carrying out ground tests based around the insert liberating and striking either an OMS Pod, Endeavour\u2019s tail, or even the window itself.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause of impactor geometry and density, actuator rib failure is deemed the critical location for this impact scenario. Prior mission assessments involved impactors with a larger area footprint,\u201d noted DAT\u2019s complex and in-depth transport data on the potential the insert could hit the Rudder Speed Brake (RSB), as seen on one of several DAT presentations for STS-130 \u2013 available on L2.<\/p>\n
\u201cLS-DYNA (tool) was utilized to predict impact damage onto the rudder speed brake actuator ribs by the ceramic plug and insert release during descent. Minor permanent deformation predicted for typical and worst-case DTA impact conditions, confined to local impact areas. No factors of safety are applied to the analysis. Results are considered nominal.<\/p>\n
\u201cSensitivity assessment showed that threshold for damaging impact is 2x the max kinetic energy provided by the DTA. Worst case predicted damage will not affect actuator rib capability. Actuator ribs occupy only 2.65 percent of the RSB surface area.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/02\/A57.jpg\" "\\"A5\\"")
These findings earned confidence that even if the insert liberated at the worst time of the descent through the atmosphere, the insert was half the mass of that which was capable of causing some damage to the tail \u2013 even if it managed to hit the area of the RSB \u2013 only three percent of the surface area \u2013 that was close to a critical system in the tail.<\/p>\n\u201cCeramic insert impacts on RSB acreage could cause panel penetration but the damage area is expected to be relatively small because of impactor geometry and density,\u201d the findings continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cCeramic insert impacts on leading edge of vertical tail could cause some damage but no critical failure mode to the leading edge spar of the vertical tail.<\/p>\n
\u201cExpect energy dissipation due to leading edge tiles as well as full-depth honeycomb fairing would reduce impactor velocity and is expect to cause breakup of ceramic insert.<\/p>\n
\u201cForward spar would not be sensitive to damage due to fractured ceramic insert with reduced velocity.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/02\/A64.jpg\" "\\"A6\\"")
Engineers worked the data with real tests \u2013 as seen on a series of videos (L2) that showed inserts being dropped on to spare orbiter window on the ground \u2013 another area of interest had the insert liberated \u2013 which resulted in them breaking apart, despite the low velocity.<\/p>\n\u201cWindow (engineers) assessment based on insert liberation during entry: Thermal pane protects for descent temperatures which subside around Mach 8. Pane must remain intact (no breach) through heating phase. Impact velocities increase as Mach decreases. JSC drop test confirms no potential for thermal pane breach,\u201d added the DAT presentation \u2013 which dedicated around 30 pages to the transport data.<\/p>\n
\u201cMach 6 max. impact velocity around 34fps at 2.6 degrees angle (11fps at 6.8 degrees). Highest impact velocity (106fps at <2 deg) occurs around Mach 0.6. Tested conditions envelope Mach 6 and Mach 5 cases velocity around 20-34 ft\/sec, at 10-44 degrees (conservative).<\/p>\n
\u201cMeasurable defect depths (without dispersion) do not exceed cert criteria allowable. Show potential for exceeding maximum allowable with application of dispersions. At lower Mach (<2.5), burst loads could propagate a flaw (negative margins on the pane).\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/02\/A73.jpg\" "\\"A7\\"")
Again, as noted, no problem was found with the test results \u2013 as expected with the potential to damage a window, due to the inserts close location to the panes. However, this goes to show just how much work goes on behind the scenes during a mission, as DAT clear an orbiter for entry.<\/p>\n\u201cRationale: If an impact occurs, burst loads may induce flaw growth (cracking to edge of pane). Previous impact test experience: cracked glass remains captured (no breach, no liberation). No risk to redundant pane, minimal effect to side window visibility. Recommendation: Acceptable entry risk, pane fracture unlikely and not catastrophic.\u201d<\/p>\n
Interestingly, managers were already briefed on the slim chance the insert would liberate in the first place \u2013 and they were proven right, with post landing photography showing the insert remained in exactly the same position and level of protrusion as seen via on orbit imagery.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/02\/A8.jpg\" "\\"A8\\"")
\u201cThe protruding ceramic insert on Window 2 carrier panel that was seen on-obit was still present upon landing and looked to be in the same condition,\u201d confirmed the post-landing TPS report.<\/p>\nInterestingly, the presentation shows such a protrusion has been seen before, even prior to the vast improvement to on orbit imagery that allows engineers on the ground to view the health of the orbiter\u2019s TPS. STS-102 and STS-108 are both shown as examples of previous protrusions, and on both occasions they remained in place all the way to landing.<\/p>\n
The shuttle\u2019s history often provides priceless flight data for the vehicles, which will be lost completely when NASA moves to a new vehicle \u2013 whatever vehicle that may be.<\/p>\n
L2 members<\/em> <\/em>: Documentation \u2013 from which the above article has quoted snippets \u2013 is available in full in the related L2 sections, now over 4500 gbs in size<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Endeavour enjoyed an extremely clean flight, following a post-landing TPS (Thermal Protection System) report, which noted only a few dings and a breached thermal barrier on her Nose Landing Gear Doors (NLGD). The protruding ceramic insert on Window 2 also remained in place, which had become the main focus of the Damage Assessment Team (DAT) […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":29571,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[9183,7935],"class_list":["post-40859","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-sts-130","tag-tps"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40859"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40859"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40859\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29571"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40859"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40859"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40859"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}