In article ,
"Steven Van Impe" wrote:

I didn't realize they were stripping the existing fleet to perform these
tests. Couldn't they take spare parts for this, or produce test samples?


One of the purposes of the impact tests is to characterize damage caused
to flight-aged RCC segments. A serious issue (one that hasn't been
studied much if at all) is how RCC ages - how do its mechanical
properties change with time and exposure to flight conditions, for
example? Testing flight components of similar age to those on Columbia
will allow the CAIB the greatest confidence available in reaching its
conclusions. Testing newly-made test articles and/or stored spares
would be valuable in quantifying age as a factor in Columbia's
destruction - for instance, if new-made RCC segments don't fracture
under test conditions like the test articles have, then it becomes a
priority for NASA to institute some RCC manufaturing capability and make
up some new flight sets. On the other hand, such tests aren't truly
necessary for the CAIB's purpose, which is to determine the most likely
cause or set of contributing factors to the loss of Columbia and her
crew.

--
Herb Schaltegger, Esq.
Chief Counsel, Human O-Ring Society
"I was promised flying cars! Where are the flying cars?!"
~ Avery Brooks