Shuttle Discovery has launched on time from the Kennedy Space Center on Tuesday, and despite observed debris coming off the tank, NASA is happy they were both too small and too late in the ascent to be a problem for the orbiter.
Several pieces of debris could be seen coming off the tank at around the same time, with another was spotted striking the belly of Discovery. Read more for five free videos – including an inverted view – of the debris event.
NASASpaceflight.com has started live coverage of the event, with expert commentary, images, video and source information provided on the link below.
**STS-121: Launch: July 4 LIVE Launch/Debris/Flight Day 1** – One stop LIVE updates.**FREE VIDEO** – Five videos of the debris events.
(Video section is FREE, but you need to sign up as a member of the forum to enter the video section of the site. We only use your e-mail to send you your password. It will not be used for spam etc.)
The liberation happened a good 30 seconds after the PAL ramp debris event last year on STS-114. That proved to be one of the key positives of Discovery’s ride uphill.
It was noted that the debris would have not posed any threat to Discovery – even if all the events had struck the orbiter – given the lack of aerodynamic air flow at that altitude. It was also confirmed that all observed debris was below the maximum allowd mass for foam liberation.
NASA has now given clarification on the events, deeming them not to be a problem, with ongoing photography and video footage currently being further examine by specialist technicians and engineers at the Agency.
Such a process will take time, with more information set to follow over the coming days and with the aid of on-orbit inspections over the next two flight days.
‘What you’re having is nearly a unique opportunity to see engineers at work, solving a problem, in the midst of the problem, and having the opportunity to watch how it is that we work, what we do, and how we go about solving our problems in the face of unknown unknowns,’ said NASA administrator Mike Griffin.
Small liberations were expected – and now that it’s confirmed that the Ice Frost Ramps appear to have performed without any major issues, as was feared by some sections of the agency. Shuttle manager Wayne Hale also confirmed that the removal of the PAL ramp has not had any negative effect on the feedlines that run alongside the tank.
Hale noted that there was no observed vibrations on the pipes that had been protected from aerodynamic stresses by the PAL ramp on previous flights.
Also, Astronaut Mike Fossum later reported that he spotted a large piece of debris apparently come away from the orbiter.
The debris observed will be sent back to Houston via video link, but it is currently unknown what it could be. NASA has since confirmed this was ice that had come off the tank after separation.
**INFRARED STS-121 MUSIC VIDEO** – Trust Discovery.
(Video section is FREE, but you need to sign up as a member of the forum to enter the video section of the site. We only use your e-mail to send you your password. It will not be used for spam etc.)
**NASASpaceflight.com Job Opportunities**