Shuttle thermal integrity detection system

Details Shuttle thermal integrity detection system Shuttle thermal integrity detection system

2004-02-05

2009-06-16

Collins, Timothy D (Department: 3643)

Aeronautics and astronautics

Spacecraft

Reusable or returnable

C244S171700

Reexamination Certificate

active

07546982

ABSTRACT:
A detection-grid is disclosed that is part of a vehicle's thermal protection layer, such as that of a space shuttle. A hybrid digital/analog system detects electrical changes in the detection grid caused by mechanical trauma to a vehicle's external surface. The system produces timely and useful display of such events. Furthermore, with redundant verification of such real-time data, the vehicle can detach from other apparatus, such as an external fuel tank or booster rockets, to execute pre-planned glide or descent scenarios maximizing a crew's and vehicle's safe return before proceeding to orbit. The detection-grid ablates off during re-entry of a regular mission.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3826452 (1974-07-01), Little
http://www.answers.com/space%20shuttle%20columbia%20disaster.
http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/missions/sts-107/mission-sts-107.html.

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