ETcam questions

I thought I read somewhere that they were going to use cameras on the
stack for at least the next few launches.

Q: Same camera (make/model or type) as used on STS-112?

Q: I'm sure it's an incredibly well engineered piece of hardware; I'm
still curious, though -- I believe there are Crit-1 failure modes
involving the cameras (according to at least one NASA public document).

Such as if for some strange reason, it falls off or some piece breaks
off during ascent. Is it still considered worth the potential risk,
however slight?

(Since it would appear that the debris would likely hit the wings'
leading edge or other sensitive surfaces if it ever fell off.)

Q: Have they (either NASA or the manufacturer, Crosslink) figured out a
solution for the fogging problem seen from SRB SEP on 112?

-Dan

Dan, I have some information about the proposed cameras. The fogging on
112 was caused by the SRB separation motors, so the placement on the ET can
be changed to help with that. I am not aware of studies being done to
assess risk of the cameras falling off the vehicle and impacting the
orbiter. The foam comes off for several reasons including thermal flexing
and vibration of the ET, but, unlike the foam, the cameras will be bolted
on. The advantage gained by having another source of video of the orbiter
outweighs the risk that the camera (or pieces thereof) may come off.

- Mike Scott, Space Shuttle Flight Design and Dynamics

"Dan Foster" wrote in message
...
I thought I read somewhere that they were going to use cameras on the
stack for at least the next few launches.

Q: Same camera (make/model or type) as used on STS-112?

Q: I'm sure it's an incredibly well engineered piece of hardware; I'm
still curious, though -- I believe there are Crit-1 failure modes
involving the cameras (according to at least one NASA public document).

Such as if for some strange reason, it falls off or some piece breaks
off during ascent. Is it still considered worth the potential risk,
however slight?

(Since it would appear that the debris would likely hit the wings'
leading edge or other sensitive surfaces if it ever fell off.)

Q: Have they (either NASA or the manufacturer, Crosslink) figured out a
solution for the fogging problem seen from SRB SEP on 112?

-Dan