|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
MSNBC (Oberg) -- NASA addresses fears about space fire hazard
MSNBC (Oberg) -- NASA addresses fears about space fire hazard
Oxygen-line contamination sparks review of procedures on space station http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18911817/ By James Oberg, NBC News space analyst Special to MSNBC // May 29, 2007 HOUSTON - A sharp-eyed space worker helped NASA avoid what might have been a serious fire hazard aboard the international space station, space agency officials have told MSNBC.com. In an exclusive interview late last week, space station manager Michael Suffredini detailed how an explosive fire might have been broken out in an oxygen line, potentially injuring spacewalking astronauts. "It could have been a very bad day," he said. "It would have been ugly." Responding to the concern, engineers kicked off a test program as well as an in-depth analysis of the potential threat. NASA officials said the analysis so far indicates that the equipment aboard the space station should pose no hazard, as long as the astronauts in orbit follow stringent operating procedures. One said an extra "procedural fix" would be put in place. NASA's response illustrates how seriously the space agency is taking safety concerns in the wake of the 2003 Columbia tragedy - which led to the loss of the shuttle and its crew, and raised alarms about a "broken safety culture." .. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
MSNBC (Oberg) -- NASA addresses fears about space fire hazard
Jim Oberg wrote: HOUSTON - A sharp-eyed space worker helped NASA avoid what might have been a serious fire hazard aboard the international space station, space agency officials have told MSNBC.com. In an exclusive interview late last week, space station manager Michael Suffredini detailed how an explosive fire might have been broken out in an oxygen line, potentially injuring spacewalking astronauts. "It could have been a very bad day," he said. "It would have been ugly." Was this in one of the suits? Because they had problems with the Shuttle suits backpacks having metal shavings in them that could cause a fire back at the beginning of the the STS program. Pat |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
MSNBC (Oberg) -- NASA addresses fears about space fire hazard
Not in a suit -- in an external line from the doghouse to the lock.
"Pat Flannery" wrote in message ... Jim Oberg wrote: HOUSTON - A sharp-eyed space worker helped NASA avoid what might have been a serious fire hazard aboard the international space station, space agency officials have told MSNBC.com. In an exclusive interview late last week, space station manager Michael Suffredini detailed how an explosive fire might have been broken out in an oxygen line, potentially injuring spacewalking astronauts. "It could have been a very bad day," he said. "It would have been ugly." Was this in one of the suits? Because they had problems with the Shuttle suits backpacks having metal shavings in them that could cause a fire back at the beginning of the the STS program. Pat |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
MSNBC (Oberg) -- NASA addresses fears about space fire hazard
Jim Oberg wrote:
HOUSTON - A sharp-eyed space worker helped NASA avoid what might have an explosive fire might have been broken out in an oxygen line, potentially injuring spacewalking astronauts. "shar eyed space worker". Is that some NASA employee in houston, moscow, or one of the crewmembers aboard the space station ? Was damage visible to the naked eye on some pipe ? When you mention external line betwene the doghouse to the lock, can you be more specific ? What is the doghouse ? And when you say external, is that out in the vacuum, or just an exposed pipe inside the Quest module ? And if there was damage inside a pipe (since the explosive fire is said to have potentially started IN an o2 line), how come someone noticed it ? Or is this some sort of flexible hose that is used to connect a space suit to a wall O2 outlet used to recharge the suits ? (at which point, I could see how a crewmember would have noticed some contamination at one end of the flexible hose). |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
MSNBC (Oberg) -- NASA addresses fears about space fire hazard
In sci.space.policy Pat Flannery wrote:
Was this in one of the suits? Because they had problems with the Shuttle suits backpacks having metal shavings in them that could cause a fire back at the beginning of the the STS program. I believe there are further details in the referenced article. rick jones -- denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance, rebirth... where do you want to be today? these opinions are mine, all mine; HP might not want them anyway... feel free to post, OR email to rick.jones2 in hp.com but NOT BOTH... |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
MSNBC (Oberg) -- NASA addresses fears about space fire hazard
"Jim Oberg" wrote:
NASA's response illustrates how seriously the space agency is taking safety concerns in the wake of the 2003 Columbia tragedy - which led to the loss of the shuttle and its crew, and raised alarms about a "broken safety culture." When you have to brag about how safe you are - your safety culture is _still_ broken. Not to mention "the valve will now be opened slowly to prevent a sharp pressure/velocity rise". Huh? That's a *basic* safety precaution for working with pressurized gases. If first learned it thirty years ago working in a bicycle shop! Where has NASA been? D. -- Touch-twice life. Eat. Drink. Laugh. -Resolved: To be more temperate in my postings. Oct 5th, 2004 JDL |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
MSNBC (Oberg) -- NASA addresses fears about space fire hazard
Rick Jones wrote: I believe there are further details in the referenced article. The part Jim posted just mention a problem with an oxygen line that might pose problems to the EVAing astronauts. I probably should have checked out the original. Back when the backpack metal shavings problem was revealed, it was a major scandal...as it showed that NASA's legendary quality assurance standards had a problem...a couple of years later, after Challenger, it would be shown just how serious that problem was. Pat |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
MSNBC (Oberg) -- NASA addresses fears about space fire hazard
Derek Lyons wrote: Not to mention "the valve will now be opened slowly to prevent a sharp pressure/velocity rise". Huh? That's a *basic* safety precaution for working with pressurized gases. If first learned it thirty years ago working in a bicycle shop! Where has NASA been? Did you ever crank open a 3000 psi helium tank without a regulator on it? Boy, now that's loud! :-) I imagine sub crews are about the most proficient guys around when dealing with high pressure gases. Pat |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
MSNBC (Oberg) -- NASA addresses fears about space fire hazard
Pat Flannery wrote:
Derek Lyons wrote: Not to mention "the valve will now be opened slowly to prevent a sharp pressure/velocity rise". Huh? That's a *basic* safety precaution for working with pressurized gases. If first learned it thirty years ago working in a bicycle shop! Where has NASA been? Did you ever crank open a 3000 psi helium tank without a regulator on it? Boy, now that's loud! :-) No, but we did once vent the 3200psi N2 system via the tube pressurization system and an empty missile tube. Think "really big pipe organ". This resulted in a stern warning from Squadron to use the Authorized Procedure, which was much quieter and much less fun. D. -- Touch-twice life. Eat. Drink. Laugh. -Resolved: To be more temperate in my postings. Oct 5th, 2004 JDL |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
MSNBC (Oberg) -- NASA addresses fears about space fire hazard
Derek Lyons wrote: Did you ever crank open a 3000 psi helium tank without a regulator on it? Boy, now that's loud! :-) No, but we did once vent the 3200psi N2 system via the tube pressurization system and an empty missile tube. Think "really big pipe organ". This resulted in a stern warning from Squadron to use the Authorized Procedure, which was much quieter and much less fun. Oh, I'd have loved to have heard the resonance on that baby echoing through Sherwood Forest. That must have hit subsonics and made the whole damn boat shake. You guys are lucky you didn't shatter weld seams with that stunt. :-D Pat |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|