Shuttle foam redesigned: NASA reveals foam developments to prevent debris problems.(shuttle report)

Urethanes Technology, February, 2005 by White, Liz

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA -- Following the tragedy that overtook the Columbia Space Shuttle, NASA is preparing the Discovery shuttle for a May launch.

The official investigation into the 1 February 2003 Columbia disaster placed the blame for the damage on a 0.75-kg piece of PU foam from the shuttle's fuel tank. Seven astronauts lost their lives when Columbia broke up during re-entry.

Now NASA plans to send a modified, safer Discovery shuttle into space, using foam insulation that has been subjected to minute scrutiny and redesigned.

"Our team of contractors and civil servants has worked hard developing, testing and implementing improvements that will reduce the risk to the orbiter during liftoff and ascent," said Sandy Coleman, manager of the...

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