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(meteorobs) =?us-ascii?Q?=3D=3D_A_TV_program=2C_=22The_Cape=2C=22_provides_a_solution?= =?us-ascii?Q?=2C_to_Tile_repair_on_the_Shuttle=3F_=3D=3D?=

== A TV program, "The Cape," provides a solution, to Tile repair on the
Shuttle? ==

About three years ago, there was a short-lived TV program, "The Cape," that
I occasionally watched, that followed the lives of fictional STS crew
members. The program was quite realistic, and I was "hooked," but sadly, the
series only lasted a dozen or so episodes.

"Tile Repair" episode vividly comes to mind; a solution?

I happened to catch one episode of "The Cape," if I can indulge you, that
may provide an attainable solution to any future tile damage problems on STS
missions while in space.

The episode depicted an event during an STS launch (or collision with space
debris, in LEO?), of tiles being damaged by debris Hitting the STS structure
(not sure if it was the wing leading edge, or the nose section); When the
crew reached LEO, a video camera inspection revealed an approximate 1 foot
section of tiles that were damaged to a depth of 2 to 3 inches, that STS
Control and the crew determined would render unsafe any re-entry attempt.

An EVA was immediately ordered by STS Control, with one of the astronauts
carrying a Tile Repair Kit; after some very tense moments, the "expandable
heat-ablative protective foam" applicator was carefully positioned, and the
shallow "crater" of tile damage was successfully filled in, and smoothed
over, giving a reasonably smooth aerodynamic surface.

Re-entry was completely successful, and upon inspection, the repaired tile
section was found to have survived re-entry with no loss of integrity to the
applied heat-ablative foam.

My Proposal:

1) Upon discovery of potential tile damage, a complete external visual (EVA)
and/or video 
    camera (Canadian Space Arm, or via ISS crew) inspection of the entire
STS vehicle, 
    upon achieving LEO/docking with ISS, to asses Tile damage, and effect
repair solutions.

2) Engineer an actual heat-ablative expandable foam Tile Repair Kit (TRK),
unless one 
    already exists, and implement immediate STS crew training on using the
TRK
    for simulated tile repair on the ground (did the producers of the
particular "Cape"
    episode I viewed, know of a NASA technician/team that was working on a
TRK?).

3) Have a mandatory TRK on each and every STS mission, with EVA capability;
    mandatory TRK on the ISS, and on the re-supply vehicles, to maintain
inventory.

4) If such a TRK is on board, but for some reason an EVA by the STS crew is
not 
    possible, then have the STS dock with the ISS, and have their crew do an
EVA, with their 
   TRK to effect a successful tile repair, and thus greater chances of a
successful re-entry.

5) Ensure each STS mission has full docking capability with the ISS.

I believe the above solution could simply and elegantly avoid future
catastrophic re-entry failure of STS missions, due to tile damage, if there
is time allowed on the STS mission for visual/video inspection of any
potential or actual tile damage, and thus effect a Tile Repair procedure, to
give greater opportunities for re-entry success, and insure the integrity,
reliability, and safety of the STS program.

Sincerely,

Mr. Richard W. Phelps

E-mail: wordsmith1776@cox-internet.com


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