Publisher's Synopsis
A debris/ice/thermal protection system assessment and integrated photographic analysis was conducted for Shuttle mission STS-81. Debris inspections of the flight elements and launch pad were performed before and after launch. Icing conditions on the External Tank were assessed by the use of computer programs and infrared scanned data during cryogenic loading of the vehicle, followed by on-pad visual inspection. High speed photography of the launch was analyzed to identify ice/debris sources and evaluate potential vehicle damage and/or in-flight anomalies. This report documents the ice/debris/thermal protection system conditions and integrated photographic analysis of Shuttle mission STS-81 and the resulting effect on the Space Shuttle Program. Katnik, Gregory N. and Lin, Jill D. Kennedy Space Center ICE FORMATION; SPACE DEBRIS; EXTERNAL TANKS; POSTFLIGHT ANALYSIS; PREFLIGHT ANALYSIS; THERMAL PROTECTION; PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORDING; SPACE SHUTTLE BOOSTERS; ATLANTIS (ORBITER); SPACE SHUTTLES; DAMAGE ASSESSMENT; SPACECRAFT LAUNCHING; HIGH SPEED PHOTOGRAPHY; LAUNCHING PADS; INFRARED SCANNERS; SPACE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM; TILES; HEAT SHIELDING; COMPUTER PROGRAMS...
