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Foam Gluing Flaw Killed Columbia Astronauts

Posted by michael on from the didn't-use-krazy-glue dept.

Freshly Exhumed writes "Now it can be told: NASA's Columbia Accident Investigation Board has blamed the faulty application of insulating foam for the loss of the Columbia orbiter. From the chief engineer for the external tanks project: '...NASA concluded after extensive testing that the process of applying some sections of foam by hand with spray guns was at fault.' And further: 'It was not the fault of the guys on the floor; they were just doing the process we gave them'."

4 of 271 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Amazing by jginspace · · Score: 4, Funny

    Yes but they had Tom Hanks

  2. Re:60%? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    until you happen to get a rather sharp angry beetle right in your eye

    yeah, don't mess with those volkswagens!

  3. These guys forgot Kindergarten by elflet · · Score: 3, Funny
    Clearly, the NASA engineers just need to consult with their 5 year-olds:
    1. If at first it doesn't stick, use more Elmers
    2. If you're going to snap somebody with a rubber band, make sure it's nice and warm or it won't work (a/k/a the Calvin and Hobbes rule)
    3. Don't stick your tongue on the liquid nitrogen tank. Just don't.
    4. Always remember to put on your rubbers before going outside.
  4. Re:Amazing by yeremein · · Score: 2, Funny

    Yes but they had Tom Hanks

    And Apollo 13 managed to come home safely, despite being piloted by Forrest Gump. You really have to give credit to the ground team.