In today's mission status briefing, the major, and really only, topic covered by both panelists and press was some major and unprecedented damage at the launch pad. Specifically the "flame trench". The long concrete and brick trench that directs/deflects the rocket flames to the preferred sides.
An approximate 75' x 20' hole has been ripped away in the side wall of this trench. Looks something like a rip you'd see in a ship after hitting an ice berg. In other words, a big ass hole.
The trench is made with concrete, but it is lined with a special kind of brick for obvious heat resistant reasons. And it's simple as that...brick and morter.
From the pictures, it looked like the concrete had been blown away too. There's a security fence around the pad to keep people and other critters away from the launch pad, and there was all this debris scattered around it, and it too also apparently suffered some damage.
So the question is, how does this affect future missions especially the STS-125 HST servicing mission coming up in October? Well, they've launched an investigation into what may have caused this...be it age of the structure as it was probably built back in the '60s, or something else. The structure is routinely inspected and spot repaired as necessary, but they've never seen any damage of this magnitude until now. As far as it affecting the next mission, the flight director said he doesn't see them not being able to get the problem resolved/fixed by then. But they have to figure out what happened here, and then obviously get the trench repaired before the next mission. Because obviously you don't want to have the possibility of more debris coming off and striking the launch vehicle.
If you ask why they must get this pad ready to go instead of just using Pad B, well, this next mission is unique in that they'll have a rescue shuttle on Pad B in case something happens (ie. Columbia).
Well, anyway, just thought you all would like to hear about this. It was kind of shocking to see this big ol' gap ripped away in this trench. I mean, it's like the side of your house being ripped away.
Sooooo....
An approximate 75' x 20' hole has been ripped away in the side wall of this trench. Looks something like a rip you'd see in a ship after hitting an ice berg. In other words, a big ass hole.
The trench is made with concrete, but it is lined with a special kind of brick for obvious heat resistant reasons. And it's simple as that...brick and morter.
From the pictures, it looked like the concrete had been blown away too. There's a security fence around the pad to keep people and other critters away from the launch pad, and there was all this debris scattered around it, and it too also apparently suffered some damage.
So the question is, how does this affect future missions especially the STS-125 HST servicing mission coming up in October? Well, they've launched an investigation into what may have caused this...be it age of the structure as it was probably built back in the '60s, or something else. The structure is routinely inspected and spot repaired as necessary, but they've never seen any damage of this magnitude until now. As far as it affecting the next mission, the flight director said he doesn't see them not being able to get the problem resolved/fixed by then. But they have to figure out what happened here, and then obviously get the trench repaired before the next mission. Because obviously you don't want to have the possibility of more debris coming off and striking the launch vehicle.
If you ask why they must get this pad ready to go instead of just using Pad B, well, this next mission is unique in that they'll have a rescue shuttle on Pad B in case something happens (ie. Columbia).
Well, anyway, just thought you all would like to hear about this. It was kind of shocking to see this big ol' gap ripped away in this trench. I mean, it's like the side of your house being ripped away.
Sooooo....
