Photos: Blanket tests clear shuttle for re-entry

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  • Wind tunnel

    Wind tunnel

    After observing a torn insulation blanket near the window of the Space Shuttle Discovery, personnel at the NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. tested the material to simulate what would happen during re-entry and determine if space repairs were necessary. To do this, the blanket was subjected to a supersonic wind tunnel.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Test results

    Test results

    The test indicated that little extra damage would occur during re-entry and allowed NASA managers to call off a potential spacewalk to repair the damage.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Thermal blanket damage

    Thermal blanket damage

    Here's a closer look at what the thermal blanket might look like after Discovery's re-entry.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Shuttle repairs

    Shuttle repairs

    Another problem caused NASA officials to order an emergency spacewalk. Mission Specialist Steve Robinson dangles off an arm from the orbiting space station on Aug. 3, 2005, as he successfully removes protruding thermal protection gap fillers from the heat shield of the Space Shuttle Discovery.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Pulling tiles

    Pulling tiles

    Robinson was able to remove the gap fillers by gently pulling them out. If left exposed, the pieces of ceramic-coated fabric could create intense heat during re-entry and put Discovery in jeopardy.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Discovery problems

    Discovery problems

    NASA scientists discovered that two ceramic coated-fabric gap fillers, which are used to prevent hot gas from seeping into gaps between Discovery's protective tiles, were sticking out about an inch from the shuttle's belly. They also observed the torn thermal blanket.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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Test results

The test indicated that little extra damage would occur during re-entry and allowed NASA managers to call off a potential spacewalk to repair the damage.

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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