|
Author
|
Topic: NASA Chart: Human spaceflight close calls
|
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 44450
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 04-10-2009 06:24 PM
   
Johnson Space Center's Flight Safety Office maintains this Significant Incidents and Close Calls in Human Spaceflight graphic to provide continuing visibility of the risks inherent with space exploration and provide engineers with a summary of past experience. It is hoped this information will be used to learn from the past and make present and future missions safer. Editor's note: This version of the document was first forwarded to collectSPACE in February 2009 and, as a work in progress, is still under review and revision.  Click to enlarge (2.8 mb graphic) or download document (584 k PDF) |
John Charles
Member Posts: 342
From: Houston, Texas, USA
Registered: Jun 2004
|
posted 04-10-2009 10:25 PM
Thanks for posting this! I have seen the 2007 version -- and added a few more items to it. Speaking of which, given the recent attention that the STS-27 TPS damage attracted, it is curious that STS-27 is not listed in the box for significant TPS damage. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 44450
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 04-10-2009 10:37 PM
My understanding is that there is a revised edition, which adds STS-27 to the list and denotes it as the most severe damage to date (the update was likely because of the recent coverage published about that mission). |
328KF
Member Posts: 1281
From:
Registered: Apr 2008
|
posted 04-11-2009 10:47 AM
Anyone know more about the "fire/combustion" events on the 4 STS missions? |
cspg
Member Posts: 6228
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
|
posted 04-11-2009 11:55 PM
Here's what I've found but I'm not sure that this info fits within the "fire/combustion" description: - STS-6, damage to the AFRSI thermal blanket on the orbiter's OMS pods, damage ranging from "missing outermost sheets and insulation to broken stitches and, in the severst cases, was even attributed to "some type of undetermined flow phenomena" during re-rentry." (Space Shuttle Challenger: Ten journeys into the Unknown, by Ben Evans, Springer-Praxis, 2007, pp42-43.)
- STS-28: Brewster Shaw investigated unusual aerodynamic "shift" experienced during reentry, Columbia's wings being 2-4 times "rougher" than other orbiters; the left wing was rougher than the right one, suspecting a change in the orbiter flying characteristics (surface roughness and RCC damage could explain that). (Space Shuttle Columbia, Her missions and crews, Ben Evans, Springer-Praxis, 2005, p446.) Also there were RCS thrusters failures.
- STS-35: Data Display Units (DDUs) scent of overheating (source: ibid, p130)
- STS-40: "Several thermal "blankets" attached to the aft bulkhead had become unfastened"; "part of the payload bay door seal strip was displaced" (source: ibid, p144).
|
328KF
Member Posts: 1281
From:
Registered: Apr 2008
|
posted 04-12-2009 11:27 AM
The only one there that I see as proper for that category might be the overheating on STS-35. Putting external heat shield issues in the same grouping as the '97 fire aboard Mir doesn't seem right.I have asked here before, but I had heard there was some major issue during the STS-36 landing which has never been disclosed due to the classified nature of the flight. With Gibson's recent openess with the STS-27 problem, which was a classified flight as well, I wonder why someone else (Mullane?) hasn't been willing to give details. |
John Charles
Member Posts: 342
From: Houston, Texas, USA
Registered: Jun 2004
|
posted 04-12-2009 08:17 PM
quote:
Originally posted by cspg:
Here's what I've found but I'm not sure that this info fits within the "fire/combustion" description
Here is what I have, from a 2002 briefing, all internal to the Space Shuttle crew environment (plus about 9 in-flight events on Soviet/Russian space stations): - STS-6: Wire burnt beneath humidifier
- STS-28: Teflon sleeve pyrolyzed by electrical short
- STS-35: Combustion products from electronics pyrolysis in 2 data display units
- STS-40: Formaldehyde pollution from pyrolysis of motor housing in refrigerator
|
Aztecdoug
Member Posts: 1405
From: Huntington Beach
Registered: Feb 2000
|
posted 04-12-2009 09:41 PM
Funny, I didn't see a listing for the 1984 STS-41G incident where the Soviets shot the orbiter with a Terra-3 death ray laser turned down low onto stun. I guess a little temporary blinding of the crew, etc. is all water under the bridge now that we are partners with Russia on the ISS.  |
cspg
Member Posts: 6228
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
|
posted 04-12-2009 11:52 PM
quote:
Originally posted by 328KF:
Putting external heat shield issues in the same grouping as the '97 fire aboard Mir doesn't seem right.
You're quite right as to your first point, meaning that "Fire & Combustion" (much like what happened on Mir) are issues which took place during orbital flight and not related to TPS issues.As for the second point, isn't there a period of time regarding classified shuttle missions during which information cannot be revealed? End of shuttle program? Number of years (much like the National Archives)? Are astronauts bound by a contract not to reveal information? |
cspg
Member Posts: 6228
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
|
posted 04-12-2009 11:55 PM
quote:
Originally posted by John Charles:
Here is what I have, from a 2002 briefing
Thanks, those fit more the "Fire & Combustion" category. |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 4593
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 04-16-2009 05:59 AM
Here's a good supplemental briefing of the charts contents presented by Dr. Clark (Baylor College of Medicine): Having a Bad Day in Space. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 44450
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 06-24-2010 04:06 PM
Courtesy Bill Wood, manager of the Flight Safety and Integration Office, here is the most recent version of the chart. Click to enlarge (5.6 mb poster-size graphic). |
hlbjr
Member Posts: 492
From: Delray Beach Florida USA
Registered: Mar 2006
|
posted 06-25-2010 06:41 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Aztecdoug:
Funny, I didn't see a listing for the 1984 STS-41G incident where the Soviets shot the orbiter with a Terra-3 death ray laser turned down low onto stun.
Holy cow! I thought you were joking. I found this link to a pretty scary story. What physical symptoms did the shuttle crew suffer? |
KSCartist
Member Posts: 2930
From: Titusville, FL
Registered: Feb 2005
|
posted 06-25-2010 07:17 AM
Didn't Tom Clancy use this story as the basis of his book: "The Cardinal of the Kremlin"? |
MrSpace86
Member Posts: 1618
From: Gardner, KS
Registered: Feb 2003
|
posted 06-25-2010 11:22 AM
I thought STS-95 had 7 crewmembers, not 6. Is the chart wrong? |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
|
posted 06-25-2010 01:58 PM
Also, the date of the Soyuz 11 disaster was June 1971, not June 1969. |
moorouge
Member Posts: 2478
From: U.K.
Registered: Jul 2009
|
posted 06-25-2010 02:22 PM
quote:
Originally posted by KSCartist:
Didn't Tom Clancy use this story as the basis of his book: "The Cardinal of the Kremlin"?
I think that Dale Brown's "Silver Tower" uses a space laser as the basis for his book.Why no information on the Challenger incident? I believe I read somewhere that the Bush administration classified any information about this as it impinged on US activity in this area. This, of course, is assuming that the incident actually took place and, if it did, that it was no more lethal than a tracking mechanism. |
parg1
Member Posts: 16
From: Wales
Registered: Dec 2007
|
posted 06-25-2010 03:11 PM
Interesting to see SR-71 included in the chart as sub-orbital? |
moorouge
Member Posts: 2478
From: U.K.
Registered: Jul 2009
|
posted 06-26-2010 03:39 AM
A most impressive chart. However, unless my aged eyes have missed them, there are some glaring omissions from the Mercury flights. I could only find two - the fuel depletion on MA-7 and the premature hatch blowing on MR-4. Missing are - LAUNCH -
- MA-7 - an abort switch activated four minutes into flight showing a drop in hydraulic pressure in the sustainer engine.
- MA-8 - a launch anomaly (can't remember exactly what as I write this)
IN ORBIT -
- MA-6 - failure of segment 51 indicating heat shield was detached; early RCS fuel depletion.
- MA-7 - failure of horizon sensor; failure of automatic retro-fire sequence.
- MA-9 - failure of automatic system requiring pilot to fly a manual re-entry.
|
jasonelam
Member Posts: 692
From: Monticello, KY USA
Registered: Mar 2007
|
posted 06-26-2010 10:04 AM
quote:
Originally posted by moorouge:
MA-8 - a launch anomaly (can't remember exactly what as I write this)
MA-8 went into an unexpected clockwise roll 10 seconds into flight caused by a misalignment of the engines. Came within 20% of the abort limit.
|
328KF
Member Posts: 1281
From:
Registered: Apr 2008
|
posted 06-27-2010 12:19 PM
I found an interesting explanation of STS-37 landing short at EDW by the entry training supervisor at the time. |
moorouge
Member Posts: 2478
From: U.K.
Registered: Jul 2009
|
posted 07-01-2010 05:33 AM
quote:
Originally posted by mjanovec:
Also, the date of the Soyuz 11 disaster was June 1971, not June 1969.
There is another over simplification with this entry.The pyrotechnic bolts did not fail, though they did trigger a sequence of events that led to the loss of the crew. As the explosive bolts fired to release the two sections an exhaust valve was shaken open. Escaping air disturbed the orientation of the spacecraft causing the automatic controls to fire the attitude thrusters to contain the movement. It was this automatic reaction that is thought to have confused the crew and delayed their response to the open valve. By the time the problem was recognised it was too late, though there is evidence to suggest that attempts were made to reseal the cabin.
Ground tests indicated that 27 seconds were required to close the valve, but within 10 seconds there was not enough air to support life and 45 seconds after the valve opened the cabin was completely exhausted of air. Whether the crew would have survived if spacesuits had been worn is conjecture. It is worth noting that the Apollo life support system was capable of sustaining a breathable atmosphere for about 15 minutes with a half inch hole in the structure. |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 4593
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 07-02-2010 02:41 PM
Another event to add to the NASA Human Space Flight close calls chart... |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 44450
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 07-02-2010 02:46 PM
quote:
Originally posted by SpaceAholic:
Another event to add...
Perhaps not: Russian flight controllers did not lose contact with the Progress and per NASA, the crew was never in any danger. |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 4593
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 07-02-2010 03:15 PM
The reporting I have seen reflect loss of telemetry lock... equivalent to loss of contact/positive control on approach. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 44450
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 07-02-2010 03:22 PM
And that reporting is accurate however, while the Progress lost contact with the station, it was always in contact with the ground (which is how we had the live views from aboard Progress throughout). |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3454
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
|
posted 03-16-2014 04:24 PM
Here are two detailed NASA charts that may be of interest. The first is Significant Incidents and Close Calls in Human Spaceflight and the second is Significant Incidents in EVA Operations.Editor's note: Threads merged. |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3454
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
|
posted 07-29-2020 10:53 PM
Here is the 2019 version of the chart. You can click on each incident to get more details. Here is the 2018 version of the EVA chart. |
David C
Member Posts: 1133
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012
|
posted 08-12-2020 09:56 AM
The selection of “non-mainstream” significant incidents in human spaceflight is interesting. Two from SpaceShipOne, two from SpaceShipTwo, an SR-71 and and an M-21; and one from the X-15.I’d suggest that if they’re serious about this, they go back and look at the X-15 again. It’s a lot more than one. |
RobertB
Member Posts: 179
From: Israel
Registered: Nov 2012
|
posted 08-12-2020 11:05 AM
There's always a lot of subjective decision making in a list like this.Was Gemini 8 not a "loss of mission"? Was Irwin's quasi-heart attack on Apollo 15 not a medical close call? |
advertisement