Off topic - Discovery Shuttle Launch

[Ironflight]

I have had enough private emails that there must be some interest....

Launch attempt scrubbed today due to the fact that we don't like to launch through the anvils of thunderstorms- not a nice idea to launch an all-electric, fly-by-wire vehicle through high potential areas with a plume of aluminum exhaust connecting you to the ground. We write our Flight Rules for a reason, and we stick with them, even when they leave us disappointed.

Vehicle and crew were in good shape, and we'll try again tomorrow. Those of you in Florida understand the drill - its July, its afternoon, its Florida... there's no question you'll have thunderstorms - it's just a matter of exactly where...

Thanks to everyone that expressed interest, and keep watching!

Paul

[rv8ch]

Paul, We're all looking forward to a successful mission! Break a leg!

[Scott Will]

That's what checklists are for! We're all pulling for a successful launch and flight when the right time comes. Good luck guys!!

We rushed home today to see a possible launch but we'll try again tomorrow!

[Ironflight]

Ah well....we'll take a day of, and see if we can light the really big bottle rockets on the Fourth! I've spent every major American holiday on console at least once - and some twice...maybe that increases our chances of a "Go" day.

Today was clearly not a good day to fly, and we quit trying early. But you'vegot to be ready to go if the weather gives you a break. Atl east I got som RV'ing in this morning!

Paul

[davidkarlsberg]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/...n1773978.shtml

[gmcjetpilot]

I know there is likely a million reasons why not, but why don't they wrap the foam in some kind of film to keep it from falling off if it cracks?

Two of my engineering Professors in college worked on the external tank, one in heat transfer and the other in structural vibration. Interesting stuff. Looks like tomorrow will be iffy.

Many lay people wrote into the TV stations and asked great questions. If you know mid afternoon is peak thunderstorm time, why not launch early in the morning or mid-night, when the convective activity is less. The answer is the rendezvous with the space station only allows one window to launch, mid afternoon. However I think they could re-position or re-time the space stations orbit to "fly-over" the Cape at 6am instead of 3:30pm or what ever the time is?

[Ironflight]

Originally Posted by gmcjetpilot

I know there is likely a million reasons why not, but why don't they wrap the foam in some kind of film to keep it from falling off if it cracks?

Two of my engineering Professors in college worked on the external tank, one in heat transfer and the other in structural vibration. Interesting stuff. Looks like tomorrow will be iffy.

Many lay people wrote into the TV stations and asked great questions. If you know mid afternoon is peak thunderstorm time, why not launch early in the morning or mid-night, when the convective activity is less. The answer is the rendezvous with the space station only allows one window to launch, mid afternoon. However I think they could re-position or re-time the space stations orbit to "fly-over" the Cape at 6am instead of 3:30pm or what ever the time is?

Hello George - just got back after meetings today - we're going to go give it a try for a launch tomorrow. The weather looks better tomorrow than later in the week, and folks are comfortable with the foam issue, so it would be hard to pass up the opportunity.

Wrapping the foam in something? Interesting idea...we had a lot of folks that suggested chicken wire....You're right - there are probably a bunch of reasons why a wrap doesn't work, but I don't know what they are - the tank design guys have had some pretty bright folks working on the problem for the last couple of years, and they are a lot smarter than me!

In terms of launch windows, changing the planar phasing of a spacecraft's orbit is incredibly costly in terms of propellant. We all grew up with Star Trek and Star Wars where they just change orbits at will...but that ain't the reaility. What you asked is a reasonable question (we'd call it precessing the node), but it would take months to acomplish with more fuel required than the station has available. It's a VERY big mass! You're asking good questions though!

Time to get some sleep before the next attempt!

Paul

[jarhead]

Originally Posted by Ironflight

Wrapping the foam in something? Interesting idea...we had a lot of folks that suggested chicken wire....You're right - there are probably a bunch of reasons why a wrap doesn't work, but I don't know what they are - the tank design guys have had some pretty bright folks working on the problem for the last couple of years, and they are a lot smarter than me!

My bright idea after last year's launch (we discussed it during almost an entire day at A&P school) was to use the white shrinkwrap that's used here in my neck of the woods for winterizing boats. The stuff's pretty thick, so unfortunately there'd probably be a significant weight penalty. Plus it'd be difficult to work the wrap around the various struts and external lines, which are the areas that I understand are the most fragile.

Another one I just thought of - how about a monofilament weave that's embedded in the foam during application? What I'm thinking is basically woven fishing line... It would (in my mind, anyway) do what rebar does in concrete - add strength, and hold chunks together if the concrete/foam were to begin cracking.


OK, that's enough off-track from me. I'll let you know where NASA can send the checks for using my idea(s)...

[Jekyll]

Originally Posted by jarhead

how about a monofilament weave that's embedded in the foam during application? What I'm thinking is basically woven fishing line... It would (in my mind, anyway) do what rebar does in concrete - add strength, and hold chunks together if the concrete/foam were to begin cracking.


OK, that's enough off-track from me. I'll let you know where NASA can send the checks for using my idea(s)...

Ken: You and I think alike. I wonder why?

Jekyll

[Howie]

Remember when the shuttle fuel tanks were painted? Foam delamination never seemed to be an issue then. How about a coating on the Orbiter side of the tank only?
I'll be rooting for the USA and praying for a safe mission.
H