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T O P I C R E V I E WjohntosullivanOne SRB on the Space Shuttle has a black band around the booster near the top. The other does not.I've noticed the same single band on one of the boosters on graphics of the new Ares5 stack.What is this black band?Johnnasamad Hi John, At a guess I'd say it was probably added as a result of STS-51L for identification purposes. I'll look forther into it as I'd like to know now as well and report back (if someone else doesn't in the meantime)AdamnasamadOh well, that theory has gone to the dogs ! 51G had the band before 51L.AdamRobert PearlmanThe black band (for tracking and idenification purposes) has always been present in one form or another. On STS-1, it was a series of rectangles positioned at different location on the lower segments of each booster. By the maiden flight of Discovery, the rectangles were still present but an interrupted black band was added just below the nose of the booster accompanied by an L-shaped marking on each. The modern single band appears to have begun with the night launch of STS-61 in 1993.(Based on a quick visual inspection of the past 100 launches via KSC's Media Archive.)[Edited by Robert Pearlman (September 06, 2006).]nasamadCheers Robert, I guessed someone here would know !Adam
At a guess I'd say it was probably added as a result of STS-51L for identification purposes. I'll look forther into it as I'd like to know now as well and report back (if someone else doesn't in the meantime)
Adam
On STS-1, it was a series of rectangles positioned at different location on the lower segments of each booster.
By the maiden flight of Discovery, the rectangles were still present but an interrupted black band was added just below the nose of the booster accompanied by an L-shaped marking on each.
The modern single band appears to have begun with the night launch of STS-61 in 1993.
(Based on a quick visual inspection of the past 100 launches via KSC's Media Archive.)
[Edited by Robert Pearlman (September 06, 2006).]
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