Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

NASA Test Shows Foam Could Be Culprit

Posted by michael on from the 0.5mv^2 dept.

Ben Hutchings writes "The BBC has a report on an impact simulation that aimed to recreate the impact of insulating foam on Columbia's wing. The result was a large hole that probably could not be repaired in orbit even if it was known about."

1 of 525 comments (clear)

  1. bang.bang.bang.bang.bang-smash. We found it. by switcha · · Score: 1, Troll
    My problem with this, is that in the interview I heard on Morning Edition, the spokeperson basically layed it out as gospel (that the foam caused it).

    Sure it did, Ace. You shot the damn thing enough times at 500 mph. You kept getting small, inconclusive cracks, so you shot it over and over and over until you got what you wanted. How do we know the wing used for that test wasn't defective? Maybe the foam you used was a tiny bit more dense. Rip that same hole 3 times in a row, and I'm on board.

    Found what you're looking for? More like looking for what you found.

    --
    You know what? ... A little club soda *did* get that out!