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