STS107 COLUMBIA ACCIDENT MISSION CREW The Two Types

STS-107 COLUMBIA ACCIDENT MISSION, CREW

The Two Types of Shuttle Missions l Delivery of payload into orbit 1. 2. 3. l Place something into space Some science experiments can also be done Shuttle is much lighter on reentry Scientific experiments 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. The primary mission is to do science experiments No payload is left in orbit Science lab is placed in the cargo bay Shuttle is just as heavy on reentry as it was on take off Much larger crew

Columbia STS-107 Was A Science Mission that launched Janurary 16, 2003 There were eighty plus science experiments on Columbia. l There were five main science experiments. l l l 1. MEIDEX 2. SOLSE 3. CVX 4. LPT 5. SEM

MEIDEX 1. MEDITERRANEAN ISRAELI DUST EXPIERIMENT.

SOLSE 2. Shuttle ozone limb sounding experiment

CVX l CRITICAL VISCOSITY OF XENON.

LPT EXPERIMENT l LUNAR POWER TRANCEIVER

SEM EXPERIMENT l SPACE EXPERIMENT MODULE

Debris from space shuttle landed in Texas on Feburary, 1 st 2003 Piece of Columbia found Near Nacogdoches Texas

Cause of Shuttle Disaster Sustained damage during launch l Bipod Shed l Insulation foam fell from internal fuel tank l

Main propellant tank l Bipod Foam Ramps had fallen off past three Shuttle flights.

Cause of Shuttle Disaster Thermal Protection system (TPS) damaged l Reinforced Carbon-Carbon panels on wing damaged. l

Cause of Shuttle Disaster Damage to panel allowed hot gases of reentry to penetrate wing. l Lightning bolt? ? l

Indications of a Problem Loss of temperature sensors in left wing l Loss of hydraulic systems on left wing l Loss of tire pressure l Excessive structural heating l Debris damaged orbiters l

What could have been done? Rescue mission by shuttle Atlantis. l A possible on-orbit repair by astronauts. l

“This Day has brought terrible news and great sadness to our country…” George W. Bush President vowed the space program would continue. l Since: A launch in 2005, and in July 2006. (both successful) l Colombia Accident Investigation Board Created. l

Memorials Memorial built at Arlington National Cemetery. l Memorial made on Mars rover l Renamed Mountain Peak l Apartment complex dedication l