"jeff findley" wrote in message
...
"Steven Van Impe" writes:

Besides, given the down time, it might be prudent to put the best,
newest RCC parts possible on the remaining orbiters, before next
flight. Considering the degradation of the panels due to time sitting
on the pad (sea air and paint flecks from the launch pad), this seems
especially prudent.

Jeff


The RCC parts were given a 25 flight life limit when they were originally
flown. After the first few flights, this number was raised to 100. This
shift was made using very little data. Columbia was on her 27th flight. I
wonder if this point will be investigated.

Dosco