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NASA NTRS · Conference Paper
Space Shuttle Corrosion Protection Performance
Attribution
This is the abstract and citation. Full text lives at NASA NTRS — we link out rather than host. All credit to the authors and Kennedy Space Center.
Abstract
Verbatim from NASA NTRS. Not paraphrased, not summarized.
The reusable Manned Space Shuttle has been flying into Space and returning to earth for more than 25 years. The launch pad environment can be corrosive to metallic substrates and the Space Shuttles are exposed to this environment when preparing for launch. The Orbiter has been in service well past its design life of 10 years or 100 missions. As part of the aging vehicle assessment one question under evaluation is how the thermal protection system and aging protective coatings are performing to insure structural integrity. The assessment of this cost resources and time. The information is invaluable when minimizing risk to the safety of Astronauts and Vehicle. This paper will outline a strategic sampling plan and some operational improvements made by the Orbiter Structures team and Corrosion Control Review Board.
Author
- Curtis, Cris E. United Space Alliance
Citation: Curtis, Cris E. (2019). Space Shuttle Corrosion Protection Performance. Kennedy Space Center. NASA NTRS ID 20130012854. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20130012854 ↗