Open AccessAn infrared solution to a national priority NASA ice detection and measurement problem
Author(s) -
Thomas J. Meitzler,
Darryl Bryk,
Euijung Sohn,
Mary Bienkowski,
Gregory Smith,
Kimberly Lane,
Rachel Jozwiak,
T. S. Moss,
Robert F. Speece,
Charles G. Stevenson,
Dennis Gregoris,
James M. Ragusa
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
proceedings of spie, the international society for optical engineering/proceedings of spie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Conference proceedings
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.192
H-Index - 176
eISSN - 1996-756X
pISSN - 0277-786X
DOI - 10.1117/12.716915
Subject(s) - crew , space shuttle , aerospace engineering , aeronautics , space research , international space station , remote sensing , space exploration , environmental science , high resolution , systems engineering , computer science , engineering , geology
NASA has a serious problem with ice that forms on the cryogenic-filled Space Shuttle External Tank (ET) that could endanger the crew and vehicle. This problem has defied resolution in the past. To find a solution, a cooperative agreement was developed between NASA-Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Research, Development & Engineering Center (TARDEC). This paper describes the need, initial investigation, solution methodology, and some results for a mobile near-infrared (IR) ice detection and measurement system developed by MDA of Canada and jointly tested by the U.S. Army TARDEC and NASA. Performance results achieved demonstrate that the pre-launch inspection system has the potential to become a critical tool in addressing NASA's ice problem.
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