Question about flame trench

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John Doe - 25 Jun 2008 10:40 GMT

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html
Currently has its first news item "StS-125 Crew Trains as Launch Pad
Repairs continue with a picture of the damaged flame trench.

Hi-res version:
http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/213835main_08pd1753.jpg

Questions: is that an MLPP above the flame trench ? If so, is it the
launch platform from STS-124 that hasn't been removed yet ? is it being
left there for a reason ? (sun/rain shade ?)

The back of the picture shows a very charred surface. Is this normal ?
or is this a major damage area with all bricks gone ?

Or the only real damage to the bricks the area that is clearly visible
on the left with very obvious missing bricks ?

Have they already plugged other damaged areas with new bricks ?

Near the back, there seesm to be a metallic "roof" structure between the
MLPP and the flame trench. This appears to be a moveable surface. Is
this just some utility structure that has been positioned there to
provide sun/rain shelter under the exhaust holes of the MLPP ? Or does
it play some other role ?

Also, we see on both sides some greenish pipe with what appears to be
nozzles. Is this the water sprays ? Is my perspective correct in saying
that the water is sprayed "on top" of the exhaust at a point where the
exhaust has already reached bottom and begun to travel horizontally ?

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John - 25 Jun 2008 15:00 GMT

(snipped)

> The back of the picture shows a very charred surface. Is this normal ? or is this a major damage area with all bricks gone ?

Not entirely sure, but given its apparent position beneath the flame
ducts of the MLPP and the apparent curve at the bottom of the charred
area, I wonder if that might be the flame deflector itself. I have
never seen one that closely so I can't tell you if that is how one
appears after having been used during a launch.

John

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Todd H. - 25 Jun 2008 17:48 GMT

> The back of the picture shows a very charred surface. Is this normal ?
> or is this a major damage area with all bricks gone ?

That in the back I believe is the flame deflector if I recall the
discussion of similar photos during an sts-124 briefing correctly.
It was not damaged during that flight, I don't believe. so, yeah, I
think it's normal to be that color.

> Or the only real damage to the bricks the area that is clearly visible
> on the left with very obvious missing bricks ?

Yeah, the damage best I can recall was only to the flame trench
walls.

> Also, we see on both sides some greenish pipe with what appears to be
> nozzles. Is this the water sprays ? Is my perspective correct in saying
> that the water is sprayed "on top" of the exhaust at a point where the
> exhaust has already reached bottom and begun to travel horizontally
> ?

Those do look like water nozzles to me, but I'm speculating too.

I'm sure there are folks more in the know who'll contribute once they
see your post though.

--
Todd H.
http://toddh.net/

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Brian Thorn - 26 Jun 2008 14:30 GMT

>http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html
>Currently has its first news item "StS-125 Crew Trains as Launch Pad
>Repairs continue with a picture of the damaged flame trench.
>
>Hi-res version:
>http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/213835main_08pd1753.jpg

>Questions: is that an MLPP above the flame trench ? If so, is it the
>launch platform from STS-124 that hasn't been removed yet ? is it being
>left there for a reason ? (sun/rain shade ?)

MLP, one "p". Mobile Launch Platform.

For the moment, it is out of the way. The two High Bays in the VAB are
occupied by STS-125 and STS-126 MLPs. They'll eventually move the 124
MLP to the parking area outside the VAB.

>The back of the picture shows a very charred surface. Is this normal ?
>or is this a major damage area with all bricks gone ?

Normal.

>Or the only real damage to the bricks the area that is clearly visible
>on the left with very obvious missing bricks ?

Yes.

>Have they already plugged other damaged areas with new bricks ?

No.

>Near the back, there seesm to be a metallic "roof" structure between the
>MLPP and the flame trench. This appears to be a moveable surface. Is
>this just some utility structure that has been positioned there to
>provide sun/rain shelter under the exhaust holes of the MLPP ? Or does
>it play some other role ?

I think it's part of the Main Engine access platform. It appears to be
directly below the Main Engine cutout.

>Also, we see on both sides some greenish pipe with what appears to be
>nozzles. Is this the water sprays ? Is my perspective correct in saying
>that the water is sprayed "on top" of the exhaust at a point where the
>exhaust has already reached bottom and begun to travel horizontally ?

Sound suppression has some weird water angles.

Brian

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Space Forum / Shuttle / June 2008

Question about flame trench