NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Materials Analysis: A Key to Unlocking the Mystery of the Columbia TragedyMaterials analyses of key forensic evidence helped unlock the mystery of the loss of space shuttle Columbia that disintegrated February 1, 2003 while returning from a 16-day research mission. Following an intensive four-month recovery effort by federal, state, and local emergency management and law officials, Columbia debris was collected, catalogued, and reassembled at the Kennedy Space Center. Engineers and scientists from the Materials and Processes (M&P) team formed by NASA supported Columbia reconstruction efforts, provided factual data through analysis, and conducted experiments to validate the root cause of the accident. Fracture surfaces and thermal effects of selected airframe debris were assessed, and process flows for both nondestructive and destructive sampling and evaluation of debris were developed. The team also assessed left hand (LH) airframe components that were believed to be associated with a structural breach of Columbia. Analytical data collected by the M&P team showed that a significant thermal event occurred at the left wing leading edge in the proximity of LH reinforced carbon carbon (RCC) panels 8 and 9. The analysis also showed exposure to temperatures in excess of 1,649 C, which would severely degrade the support structure, tiles, and RCC panel materials. The integrated failure analysis of wing leading edge debris and deposits strongly supported the hypothesis that a breach occurred at LH RCC panel 8.
Document ID
20120003324
Acquisition Source
Kennedy Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Mayeaux, Brian M.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Collins, Thomas E.
(Boeing Co. United States)
Piascik, Robert S.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Russel, Richard W.
(United Space Alliance United States)
Jerman, Gregory A.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Shah, Sandeep R.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
McDanels, Steven J.
(NASA Kennedy Space Center Cocoa Beach, FL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
March 14, 2004
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Materials
Subject Category
Space Transportation And Safety
Report/Patent Number
KSC-2004-019
Meeting Information
Meeting: 133rd Annual Meeting and Exhibition of the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS)
Location: Charlotte, NV
Country: United States
Start Date: March 14, 2004
End Date: March 18, 2004
Sponsors: Minerals, Metals and Materials Society
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available