-
Atlantis' ET is seeping water
by
RJC
on 23 Jun, 2006 17:57
-
-
#1
by
Chris Bergin
on 23 Jun, 2006 18:45
-
Hey Rob, welcome to the site. Nice to have one of the FI guys here
Crikey, I'll go ask a few ET mechs at KSC on this as it's hardly welcome news.
-
#2
by
Flightstar
on 23 Jun, 2006 18:50
-
Well this tank is needed for LON with Atlantis, so it's AS important as ET-119.
-
#3
by
James (Lockheed)
on 23 Jun, 2006 18:52
-
I don't think it's confirmed as "leaking" from the "Intertank" is what the guys here are saying. Remember this tank was shipped without final pressurization tests to get it to KSC for closeout work on such tests along with ECO R&R.
-
#4
by
Chris Bergin
on 23 Jun, 2006 18:55
-
James (Lockheed) - 23/6/2006 7:39 PM
I don't think it's confirmed as "leaking" from the "Intertank". Condensation is what the guys here are saying. Remember this tank was shipped without final pressurization tests to get it to KSC for closeout work on such tests along with ECO R&R.
That could be interesting, because they were due to pressurise the tank around this time (let me check the work schedule for ET-118).
Problem is, if they've done that, and the intertank has an issue found from that pressurisation, then that's a big issue.
I've asked two KSC mechs about it and a couple of guys at MAF if they've heard what it could be.
-
#5
by
James (Lockheed)
on 23 Jun, 2006 20:13
-
I've checked. This is not an issue for the tank.
-
#6
by
Chris Bergin
on 23 Jun, 2006 20:28
-
Ok, some selected comments from sources.
There's 93 MAF engineers in the VAB, working seven days a week round the clock with the ECO R&R and it's behind schedule
The water (which Rob mentioned) leaked in through the IT GSE access door during Katrina at MAF. MAF say they can clear it without a problem.
-
#7
by
Chris Bergin
on 26 Jun, 2006 21:02
-
NASA Status report.
External Tank
The water that was discovered last week in one of the stringers of the
intertank on ET-118 has been removed. Stringers are reinforcing
channel structures located on the outside of the intertank skin.
Preliminary water analysis indicates that corrosion and salinity
levels are low and will not affect the launch-on-need support for
STS-121 or the STS-115 mission.
-
#8
by
astrobrian
on 26 Jun, 2006 21:58
-
Both interesting, and sounding good all in one
-
#9
by
Avron
on 27 Jun, 2006 04:39
-
How would they test that all the water has been removed, or do we wait fo Ice to form..?
-
#10
by
Chris Bergin
on 28 Jun, 2006 12:02
-
Avron - 27/6/2006 5:26 AM
How would they test that all the water has been removed, or do we wait fo Ice to form..?
Good question and I'll ask.
-
#11
by
astrobrian
on 28 Jun, 2006 23:06
-
I would think there are moisture detection systems available. Waiting for ice to form sounds to reactive as opposed to proactive
-
#12
by
dutch courage
on 29 Jun, 2006 11:26
-
And don't forget the rainfall during the time the shuttle is on the pad.
-
#13
by
woketman
on 16 Aug, 2006 19:20
-
The water got in there in the first place because a portion of the ceiling failed over the ET during Katrina while the tank was in the horizontal position. H2O was able to enter the Intertank through several paths (the LO2 Feedline hole, GH2 Pressline hole, etc.) and collect at the bottom of the Intertank on the interior. It entered the stringer through a vent hole that vents the stringer interior to the Intertank interior. Rain water on the pad can not do this for many reasons.
-
#14
by
Chris Bergin
on 16 Aug, 2006 19:28
-
Thanks for the info Mark, and welcome to the site.
-
#15
by
MKremer
on 16 Aug, 2006 20:55
-
Thanks, Mark. I figured it was something due to Katrina while the tank was at MAF.
-
#16
by
Avron
on 17 Aug, 2006 17:47
-
Chris Bergin - 28/6/2006 7:49 AM
Avron - 27/6/2006 5:26 AM
How would they test that all the water has been removed, or do we wait fo Ice to form..?
Good question and I'll ask.
Did you get an answer?
