This Echo is READ ONLY !   NO Un-Authorized Messages Please!
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For Immediate Release
CAIB PA 31-03

Date: May 29, 2003
Contact: Lt. Col Woody Woodyard, 281-283-7565 or 713-301-2244
Contact: Patricia Brach, 281-283-7849

Shuttle Leading Edge Foam Impact Test Update

Houston - The Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) reported
the initial foam impact test on the Enterprise's fiberglass leading
edge panel showed significant effects.

The foam struck the lower left wing portion of panel six causing the 
T-Seal between panels six and seven to lift and shift toward panel 
seven. This resulted in a 22-inch opening between panel six and the 
T-Seal. The width varied from the thickness of a dime to more than a 
quarter inch. The results were within the predicted impact analysis.

Foam details are listed below: 

Weight: 1.67 pounds
Speed: 779 feet per second
Volume: 1200 cubic inches 
Angle of incident: 20 degrees

The test was conducted at the Southwest Research Institute in San 
Antonio, Texas. 

The CAIB has not reached any final conclusions and has not determined 
the cause of the loss of the shuttle and crew. The board's final
report will be issued later this summer.

 - END OF FILE -
==========

@Message posted automagically by IMTHINGS POST 1.30
---