NASA Develops Wireless Tile Scanner for Space Shuttle Inspection

Technicians have been using six new scanners to look for cracks and other imperfections in some of the 24,000 tiles that cover space shuttle Endeavour. The agency designed and built the new tools at NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif. In the past, workers at Kennedy visually analyzed tiles and measured dings and cracks with small hand-held scales.

"The new method is much faster and more accurate because the depth and volume measurements of the flaws and their locations are wirelessly transmitted into a computer database," said Joe Lavelle, a senior engineer and project manager at Ames. "This tool allows the inspectors to determine with very high confidence whether a shuttle tile needs to be replaced or just repaired."

"When they made the measurements manually with the scales, they had to estimate the volume of flaws to a worst-case value because they could not precisely measure the volume with any accuracy," Lavelle explained. "With this scanner, they will actually save tiles and the time-consuming process of replacing them."

The thermal tiles on the space shuttle protect it from the extreme heat generated during re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere. After each shuttle lands, technicians go through a very rigorous and lengthy process to assess the surface of the tiles for any damage.

Each scanner weighs approximately 2.9 pounds and is about the size and shape of a small teapot. Technicians place the machine on the tile's flaw to scan it. In about three seconds, the data are computerized and archived.

Engineers can scrutinize computerized 3-D pictures of the flaws. The images show the length, width and depth of the flaws on the surface of the tiles. Although engineers designed the instrument to scan space shuttle tiles, it also could scan reinforced carbon-carbon material used on the leading edges of the shuttle's wings.

Engineers developing a heat shield system for NASA's new spaceship Orion already are using a larger, desktop version of the scanner to study heat shield samples tested at Ames. NASA is building a second desktop scanner for use at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. The unit should be completed in about two months.

Source: NASA

Discovery to Dock with Station Today
Space shuttle Discovery is scheduled to dock with the International Space Station at 1:54 p.m. EDT.
Endeavour Due at Station Tonight
Circling the globe aboard space shuttle Endeavour, the STS-123 crew members have completed their first full day in space. The astronauts inspected the orbiter’s heat shield and prepared for their arrival at the International Space Station tonight at 11:25 p.m. EDT.
Astronauts to test high-tech caulk gun
U.S. astronauts on the next shuttle mission will test the ability of a silicon substance loaded into a high-tech caulk gun to patch tiles.
Space Shuttle Replacement
It’s no secret that NASA needs a replacement for the aging STS – Space Transport System – or more commonly, the Space Shuttle. In fact, many scientists – including some of the most prestigious organizations like the Federation of Scientists – have been against the shuttle from the beginning. Maybe NASA should have listened to them.
Understanding heat flow at the nanoscale is the goal of new project
Understanding the mechanisms responsible for thermal transport, or heat flow, between dissimilar materials at the molecular level is the goal of Virginia Tech College of Engineering researcher Scott Huxtable, who has received a National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) Award.
Russia Hopes To Launch Reusable Spacecraft In 2012
It does not sound likely that Russia will employ a reusable spacecraft in 2012 - but it is. On Friday, February 3, the Russian Space Agency is due to announce the developer of a new Russian reusable spacecraft, reports RIA Novosti.
New wind tunnel operates quietly at Mach 6, helps shape future aircraft
Purdue University engineers have developed a wind tunnel that is the only one of its kind in the world capable of running quietly at "hypersonic" speeds, helping researchers to design advanced aircraft and missiles.
NASA's Space Shuttle Endeavour Comes To Life
Engineers cheered as electricity coursed through Space Shuttle Endeavour today for the first time in two years. The powering of Endeavour signaled the end of the orbiter's major modification period at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla.

NASA Develops Wireless Tile Scanner for Space Shuttle Inspection

Related stories:

News discussion: