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John Doe...
Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 4:40 am
Guest
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html
Currently has its first news item "StS-125 Crew Trains as Launch Pad
Repairs continue with a picture of the damaged flame trench.

Hi-res version:
http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/213835main_08pd1753.jpg



Questions: is that an MLPP above the flame trench ? If so, is it the
launch platform from STS-124 that hasn't been removed yet ? is it being
left there for a reason ? (sun/rain shade ?)

The back of the picture shows a very charred surface. Is this normal ?
or is this a major damage area with all bricks gone ?

Or the only real damage to the bricks the area that is clearly visible
on the left with very obvious missing bricks ?

Have they already plugged other damaged areas with new bricks ?


Near the back, there seesm to be a metallic "roof" structure between the
MLPP and the flame trench. This appears to be a moveable surface. Is
this just some utility structure that has been positioned there to
provide sun/rain shelter under the exhaust holes of the MLPP ? Or does
it play some other role ?



Also, we see on both sides some greenish pipe with what appears to be
nozzles. Is this the water sprays ? Is my perspective correct in saying
that the water is sprayed "on top" of the exhaust at a point where the
exhaust has already reached bottom and begun to travel horizontally ?
John...
Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 4:40 am
Guest
On Jun 25, 5:40 am, John Doe <j... at (no spam) doe.org> wrote:

(snipped)

Quote:
The back of the picture shows a very charred surface. Is this normal ? or is this a major damage area with all bricks gone ?


Not entirely sure, but given its apparent position beneath the flame
ducts of the MLPP and the apparent curve at the bottom of the charred
area, I wonder if that might be the flame deflector itself. I have
never seen one that closely so I can't tell you if that is how one
appears after having been used during a launch.

John
Todd H....
Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:49 am
Guest
John Doe <jdoe at (no spam) doe.org> writes:

Quote:
The back of the picture shows a very charred surface. Is this normal ?
or is this a major damage area with all bricks gone ?


That in the back I believe is the flame deflector if I recall the
discussion of similar photos during an sts-124 briefing correctly.
It was not damaged during that flight, I don't believe. so, yeah, I
think it's normal to be that color.

Quote:
Or the only real damage to the bricks the area that is clearly visible
on the left with very obvious missing bricks ?

Yeah, the damage best I can recall was only to the flame trench
walls.

Quote:
Also, we see on both sides some greenish pipe with what appears to be
nozzles. Is this the water sprays ? Is my perspective correct in saying
that the water is sprayed "on top" of the exhaust at a point where the
exhaust has already reached bottom and begun to travel horizontally
?


Those do look like water nozzles to me, but I'm speculating too.

I'm sure there are folks more in the know who'll contribute once they
see your post though.


--
Todd H.
http://toddh.net/
 
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