NASA's Space Shuttle programme ran from 1972 to 2011, its successes including the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope, Spacelab and the construction of the International N Space Station.
But the programme had its problems. Schedule pressures and tight budgets had been blamed for the loss of one of its five orbiters, Challenger, and its seven-person crew in 1986. Organizational changes were made, but by the launch of Columbia's flight STS-107 on 16 January 2003, problems had returned. Initial reports after launch were positive, and the crew looked forward to the 16 days of scientific research ahead of them. On the ground, a team reviewing launch footage noticed that something had fallen from Columbia's fuel tank and struck the underside of its left wing, where reinforced carbon-carbon panels would act as a heat shield against the 1,600°C endured during re-entry to Earth.
The object was a piece of insulating foam, roughly 60cm by 38cm, with an impact speed of 877km/h. Smaller foam strikes were common on Shuttle missions, but to assess whether the damage posed a real threat, the team requested high-resolution images from the US Department of Defense. This request, and the two more submitted in the week following, were denied.
"Absolutely no concern"
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 2023 من BBC Sky at Night Magazine.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 2023 من BBC Sky at Night Magazine.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Water, Water, Everywhere?
Penny Wozniakiewicz investigates why astronomers are so concerned with finding water in the Solar System, and why it is vital to our exploration of space
O&A WITH AN ECLIPSE CHASER
On 14 October 2023, an annular eclipse passed across mainland USA. Comedian and stargazer Jon Culshaw was there to witness it
Bresser ISA Space Exploration NASA 70/700 AZ telescope
This beginners' package has everything you need to see the Sun, Moon and planets
Ursa Major 6-inch f/8 Planetary Dobsonian
A decent option for would-be planetary observers on a limited budget
Use freeware to create star trail images
How to turn your frames into beautiful star trail photos in a few clicks
Venus's hostile atmosphere
Katrin Raynor takes a look at a planet where the skies boil and the clouds rain acid
Build your EYEPIECE COLLECTION
Great eyepieces are crucial to any astronomical setup. Here Tim Jardine arms you with the info you need to choose the best ones to invest in
THE BIG THREE
The top sights to observe or image this month
The remains of CREATION UNDERSTANDING THE CMB
Left over from the Big Bang, the cosmic microwave background gives astronomers an insight into the entire history of our Universe. Ezzy Pearson explains
A December GRAND TOUR
Just like the epic journeys of the Voyager probes to our Solar System's outer planets, this tour takes you to the gas and ice giants as they line up in the night sky this month. Stuart Atkinson is your guide