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New Sensor Finds Leaks in Spacecraft

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the comes-complete-with-finger-to-plug-the-hole dept.

Roland Piquepaille writes "With financial support from NASA, Iowa State University (ISU) engineers have developed a sensor to quickly find leaks in a spacecraft. This sensor locates an air leak by listening to the noise generated by the air rushing out of the leak and includes an array of 64 elements that detects vibrations as they radiate along the spacecraft. Because astronauts cannot hear the noise caused by escaping air, NASA needed to design a system to help them. As one ISU researcher said, 'NASA wants to be able to find these leaks. Fixing them is easy. But the question is, "Where is the leak?"' Now that this sensor has successfully been tested on the ground, NASA is evaluating a proposal to build a prototype of the leak detection system for future missions.

10 of 115 comments (clear)

  1. Another application. by GreggBz · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's also good for "who farted."

  2. If it find leaks... by Dr.+Spork · · Score: 4, Funny

    First customer: Steve Jobs

  3. KISS by Tank · · Score: 5, Funny

    I love tech as much as the next guy, but why not keep it simple... Submerge the craft in water, and look for bubbles. :D

    1. Re:KISS by jabber · · Score: 3, Funny

      Sure, but the cost of shipping all that water into orbit is prohibitive, and who has time to go around melting comets?

      --

      -- What you do today will cost you a day of your life.
    2. Re:KISS by Wite_Noiz · · Score: 2, Funny

      Professor Farnsworth: Dear Lord, that's over 150 atmospheres of pressure.
      Fry: How many atmospheres can this ship withstand?
      Professor Farnsworth: Well it's a spaceship, so I'd say anywhere between zero and one.

  4. Hippy Solution: by Penguinshit · · Score: 2, Funny

    Incense.

    Just follow the smoke... Good for karma and centering your Qi, too!

    --

    I have something in common with Stephen Hawking...

  5. In Space No One Can Hear You Scream by Doc+Ruby · · Score: 3, Funny

    They can't mount this sensor outside the craft pointing in, because the intervening empty space carries no sound energy.

    But if they mount it internally, it could find not only leaks, but also target where that hideous alien creature is hiding after it's eaten the ship's cat.

    --

    --
    make install -not war

  6. Re:Beats the old method... by Ajehals · · Score: 2, Funny

    Ground control to Major Tom:
    Your circuit's dead,
    there's something wrong.
    Can you hear me Major Tom....?

  7. can it detect leaks when orbiting Uranus? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    otherwise there might be too much methane in the ship

  8. In Space.. by monopole · · Score: 2, Funny

    Nobody can hear you leak! You need machines for that.