The TPS gap fillers that were removed

The TPS gap fillers that were removed from the undersdie of the
orbiter were both located at intersections where there were new tiles
installed. I could tell since new tiles are very black in color,
lacking the overcoat of contaminants that are seen on older tiles. When
one filler was removed, I could se the red RTV adhesive used to glue it
in place, and it seemed to look unevenly applied.

My guess is that some KSC tile technician(s) did a poor job
installing the gap fillers to begin with. Not enough adhesive could
cause it to come loose and protrude out.

Matthew Ota

Not a spacecraft engineer, but I did stay at the Holiday Inn

On Thu, 04 Aug 2005 02:34:58 -0700, I wrote:

I wonder how the adhesive (RTV?) is applied.

Before anyone takes the time to explain to me what
RTV is- I just spaced out and missed the fact that
Matthew already said that the adhesive is indeed
RTV

Dale

"Matthew Ota" wrote:

The TPS gap fillers that were removed from the undersdie of the
orbiter were both located at intersections where there were new tiles
installed. I could tell since new tiles are very black in color,
lacking the overcoat of contaminants that are seen on older tiles. When
one filler was removed, I could se the red RTV adhesive used to glue it
in place, and it seemed to look unevenly applied.

My guess is that some KSC tile technician(s) did a poor job
installing the gap fillers to begin with. Not enough adhesive could
cause it to come loose and protrude out.

Just an observation, In the majority of the aerospace industry
worldwide the worker on the shop floor wears company supplied
clothing, but almost every time I've seen a US worker in a similar
situation they are wearing their own "casual" clothing (same applies
on car production lines)

There are lots of things that can be carried into the working
environment that may affect bonding processes such as noted above plus
the possibility of debris falling into inaccessible places. Its just
plain sloppy.


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