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Stuck Knob Causes Serious Window Damage To Atlantis
FTL writes "While in orbit a metal knob floated between a window and the dashboard of Atlantis. Once back on Earth, the shuttle contracted, wedging the knob firmly in place and damaging the window. Initial attempts to free the knob have failed and engineers may need six months to disassemble that section of the orbiter. Given that the shuttle program will probably end next year anyway, such a delay might mean scrapping Atlantis early rather than repairing it. Efforts to remove the knob using less invasive techniques continue."
Make it look like Swiss cheese...should eventually collapse on itself. Use a magnet and vacuum to catch the filings.
Hey...it's not rocket science...oh wait.
Seriously, I mean increase the pressure inside the shuttle until you have the same differential as in space, which should cause the windows to expand just as they did in space and then pull out the knob.
myke
Mimetics Inc. Twitter
Why not just pump 10 bar of pressure into the space scuttle so that the gap opens up again? It is supposed to take 1 atmosphere of pressure more than the outside, yes?
They whose government reduces their essential liberties for temporary security, receive neither liberty nor security.
Since the thing slipped in there in part due to pressure differences, why not overpressurize the crew compartment? Or take the orbiter up on the 747 while pressurized? Maybe combined with dry-icing the knob, it will come out.
Constitutionally Correct
Just yank on that bitch.
If shit breaks, fix it. You waste more time and money, along with what little dignity you have left, by sitting around discussing it.
If you can't yank it, cut it.
If shit breaks, see above.
If you can't cut it, melt it.
If shit breaks, see above.
If you can't melt it, dissolve it with acid.
If shit breaks, see above.
If you can't dissolve it, rust that bitch out.
If shit breaks, see above.
If you can't oxidize it, unscrew the window, take it out, and put a new window on since you're so fucking terrified.
If you can't do any of the above, just fly with the fucker in place. You're going into the same conditions that got it there. As long as the glass isn't cracked, you're good.