Shuttle Atlantis - small knob/big damage

[Trekker4747]

So no screwdriver or duct-tape was involved?

 

[Brolan]

I thought they could just put it on the 747 carrier aircraft and take it up as high as possible. But they didn't even need to do that.

 

[Garrovick]

Now all we need to hear about is the most serious part.

The condition of the window

 

[Trekker4747]

Now all we need to hear about is the most serious part.

The condition of the window

Eh, just take it to a local glass shop. If the nick is smaller than a quarter then they can patch it up for less that $40!

 

[Silversmok3]

Now all we need to hear about is the most serious part.

The condition of the window

Eh, just take it to a local glass shop. If the knick is smaller than a quarter than can patch it up for less that $40!

Cost for NASA to use car-windshield patch kit-$50

The look on the mission commanders face as he stares at that window during launch-priceless

 

[RobertVA]

Now all we need to hear about is the most serious part.

The condition of the window

Eh, just take it to a local glass shop. If the nick is smaller than a quarter then they can patch it up for less that $40!

As described above, the feasibility of removing the window and subsequently reinstalling it (or a replacement) is in doubt. The outer layers have been replaced many times, since they are often dinged by tiny bits of orbital debri (I wonder if there's ever been any damage from ice or foam coming off the external tank). The inner layer of the window may be subject to structural loads that result from the difference between the 14.7 PSI over every square inch of its surface and the zero PSI in the exterior during space flight. If you do the math that's a significant force on the window and its frame.

Since automobile windshield dings would usually be on the exterior of the glass the much lower pressure differential would contribute slightly to hold any patchs in place. I would be supprised if the orbiter windows were same material that is commonly used in auto windshields, so the auto windshield patching material might not be compatible anyway.

Flying the orbiter might make any optical distortion resulting from a patch a more serious issue that even the small distortion that an auto windshield patch might produce.

Maybe there's a weight issue, but I wonder why there isn't an easily changed protective layer on the inside of the orbiter windows.

 

[Marc]

Now all we need to hear about is the most serious part.

The condition of the window

Eh, just take it to a local glass shop. If the nick is smaller than a quarter then they can patch it up for less that $40!

As described above, the feasibility of removing the window and subsequently reinstalling it (or a replacement) is in doubt. The outer layers have been replaced many times, since they are often dinged by tiny bits of orbital debri (I wonder if there's ever been any damage from ice or foam coming off the external tank). The inner layer of the window may be subject to structural loads that result from the difference between the 14.7 PSI over every square inch of its surface and the zero PSI in the exterior during space flight. If you do the math that's a significant force on the window and its frame.

Since automobile windshield dings would usually be on the exterior of the glass the much lower pressure differential would contribute slightly to hold any patchs in place. I would be supprised if the orbiter windows were same material that is commonly used in auto windshields, so the auto windshield patching material might not be compatible anyway.

Flying the orbiter might make any optical distortion resulting from a patch a more serious issue that even the small distortion that an auto windshield patch might produce.

Maybe there's a weight issue, but I wonder why there isn't an easily changed protective layer on the inside of the orbiter windows.

Could be the protective lay comes from the chemical composition of the glass rather than a coating.

Coatings such a tinting go off over time.

 

[Trekker4747]

Now all we need to hear about is the most serious part.

The condition of the window

Eh, just take it to a local glass shop. If the nick is smaller than a quarter then they can patch it up for less that $40!

As described above, the feasibility of removing the window and subsequently reinstalling it (or a replacement) is in doubt. The outer layers have been replaced many times, since they are often dinged by tiny bits of orbital debri (I wonder if there's ever been any damage from ice or foam coming off the external tank). The inner layer of the window may be subject to structural loads that result from the difference between the 14.7 PSI over every square inch of its surface and the zero PSI in the exterior during space flight. If you do the math that's a significant force on the window and its frame.

Since automobile windshield dings would usually be on the exterior of the glass the much lower pressure differential would contribute slightly to hold any patchs in place. I would be supprised if the orbiter windows were same material that is commonly used in auto windshields, so the auto windshield patching material might not be compatible anyway.

Flying the orbiter might make any optical distortion resulting from a patch a more serious issue that even the small distortion that an auto windshield patch might produce.

Maybe there's a weight issue, but I wonder why there isn't an easily changed protective layer on the inside of the orbiter windows.

It was a joke, dear.