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Author
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Topic: Space shuttle crew hatch GSE protective tape
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Rocket Chris
Member Posts: 342
From:
Registered: Nov 2009
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posted 03-03-2011 06:18 AM
   
Does anyone know what kind of material these protective hatch tapes are (as seen on the image below)? How are these protective tapes called? I just heard that they got a teflon layer. I'm just curious if such a tape could also be purchased as a collective item. Or is this item also defeated by ITAR laws.  |
Jeff
Member Posts: 474
From: Fayetteville, NC, USA
Registered: May 2009
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posted 03-03-2011 06:47 AM
While watching the most recent launch, I thought I heard them say they were Armalon. |
hoorenz
Member Posts: 1031
From: The Netherlands
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 03-03-2011 01:02 PM
The Armalon itself is not tape. You might have noticed they close the hatch first, and then slide it out. The Armalon is attached with tape (it is where the bit of tile got stuck on during the 133 launch preps). |
Rocket Chris
Member Posts: 342
From:
Registered: Nov 2009
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posted 03-03-2011 01:06 PM
...so its a kind of glas fibre reinforced plastic foil with a PTFE (Teflon) layer?Anyone got a clue where to get a sample or even used Armalon foil from Close out ops? |
benguttery
Member Posts: 547
From: Fort Worth, TX, USA
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 03-05-2011 03:36 PM
In aviation there is a product called "100 mile an hour tape." Some people call it duck or duct tape. I am thinking there is something better for Mach 25. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-05-2011 03:39 PM
quote:
Originally posted by benguttery:
I am thinking there is something better for Mach 25.
There is, it is called Mach 25 tape. |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 4437
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-05-2011 03:59 PM
25,000 MPH tape (carried and used on the Apollo CMs).
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Fezman92
Member Posts: 1031
From: New Jersey, USA
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 03-05-2011 04:10 PM
quote:
Originally posted by hoorenz:
The Armalon is attached with tape (it is where the bit of tile got stuck on during the 133 launch preps).
So they used duct tape to get the tiles to stay in place then? Cool. So glad I have a roll in my desk. Should have astronauts sign duct tape instead of photos. lol |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-05-2011 04:15 PM
Funny. For the record, tiles are not attached by tape. Tiles are affixed to the orbiter using a Nomex felt pad and RTV silicone. And I could be wrong, but my guess would be the tape holding the Armalon is not duct tape, but rather masking tape. |
Fezman92
Member Posts: 1031
From: New Jersey, USA
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 03-05-2011 04:34 PM
Masking tape? Really? That would make a great Q&A with one of the engineers. You know a nice random question along the lines of "So what does hold the orbiter together? Masking tape or duct tape?" lol |
benguttery
Member Posts: 547
From: Fort Worth, TX, USA
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 03-05-2011 04:56 PM
That is one of the many fascinating concepts with space flight. With normal aeronautics you build objects to take some abuse such as landings. Space vehicles have a different group factors to be dealt with. The first time I saw photos inside the shuttle wing made me realize what a delicate vehicle it is. Delicate on one hand, but able to fly at amazing speed and temperatures. Still an impressive flying machine decades after ALT and STS-1. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-05-2011 05:05 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Fezman92:
So what does hold the orbiter together?
The tape in question is holding temporary ground support equipment (GSE), which is removed before flight. |
Rocket Chris
Member Posts: 342
From:
Registered: Nov 2009
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posted 03-06-2011 01:38 AM
...just to clarify all kinds of tapes: the inner ring of the crew hatch as shown on the image above (orange shining) is taped with kapton, right? (I also got a 3M roll here).Rob, the duct tape you mentioned... is it also made by 3M? Do you have a specific ID? Now that every tape question is cleared, let's get back to the Armalon question.  |
spaceman
Member Posts: 1104
From: Walsall, West Midlands, UK
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 03-06-2011 05:31 AM
Find out a bit more about Armalon here. |
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