NASA managers today approved a tanking test on space shuttle Discovery’s external tank at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The test is planned to begin at 7 a.m. Friday, Dec. 17.
The test will help verify repairs associated with cracks on the tops of two 21-foot-long, U-shaped aluminum brackets, called stringers, on the external tank. Data collected from the strain gauges and thermal couple sensors will potentially help engineers determine what caused the cracks during Discovery’s launch countdown on Nov. 5. Technicians repaired the cracks and reapplied foam insulation on the stringers last month.
Results of the instrumented test will not be known immediately. Managers and engineers will review the data gathered from the test before determining the next course of action. Discovery’s next launch opportunity is no earlier than 1:34 a.m. on Feb. 3.
The test will air live on NASA Television beginning at 6:45 a.m. EST. Discovery’s external tank will be filled with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, as it is before launch. Technicians placed 89 instruments on the tank to assess its performance during the fuel loading.