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    NASA Facts Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) Panels 2004

    Uploaded by

    Bob Andrepont
    The document discusses Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) panels that are used on the Space Shuttle orbiter during re-entry to protect it from high surface temperatures of up to 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The RCC panels are located on the orbiter's wing leading edges, nose cap, and other areas. They are made of carbon composite material and are about 0.25 to 0.5 inches thick. Prior to each mission, the RCC panels undergo inspections including visual, tactile, thermography, and ultrasound tests to check for damage or defects.

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    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    NASA Facts Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) Panels 2004

    Uploaded by

    Bob Andrepont
    174 views2 pages
    The document discusses Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) panels that are used on the Space Shuttle orbiter during re-entry to protect it from high surface temperatures of up to 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The RCC panels are located on the orbiter's wing leading edges, nose cap, and other areas. They are made of carbon composite material and are about 0.25 to 0.5 inches thick. Prior to each mission, the RCC panels undergo inspections including visual, tactile, thermography, and ultrasound tests to check for damage or defects.

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    NASA Facts booklet on the Space Shuttle reinforced carbon-carboon panels.

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    The document discusses Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) panels that are used on the Space Shuttle orbiter during re-entry to protect it from high surface temperatures of up to 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The RCC panels are located on the orbiter's wing leading edges, nose cap, and other areas. They are made of carbon composite material and are about 0.25 to 0.5 inches thick. Prior to each mission, the RCC panels undergo inspections including visual, tactile, thermography, and ultrasound tests to check for damage or defects.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    174 views2 pages

    NASA Facts Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) Panels 2004

    Uploaded by

    Bob Andrepont
    The document discusses Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) panels that are used on the Space Shuttle orbiter during re-entry to protect it from high surface temperatures of up to 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The RCC panels are located on the orbiter's wing leading edges, nose cap, and other areas. They are made of carbon composite material and are about 0.25 to 0.5 inches thick. Prior to each mission, the RCC panels undergo inspections including visual, tactile, thermography, and ultrasound tests to check for damage or defects.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 2

    National Aeronautics and

    Space Administration

    John F. Kennedy Space Center


    Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899

    FS-2004-01-001-KSC

    Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) Panels


    D uring re-entry
    into Earthís
    atmosphere, the
    and the area immedi-
    ately around the
    forward orbiter/
    Space Shuttle travels external tank structural
    more than 17,000 attachment point. The
    miles per hour. panels are manufac-
    Exterior surface tured by Lockheed-
    temperatures can Martin's Missile and
    reach up to 3,000 Fire Control Facilities
    degrees Fahrenheit. in Dallas, Texas.
    To protect the The leading edges
    orbiter during re- of each of the orbiters'
    entry, all external wings have 22 RCC
    surfaces are covered panels. They are light
    with various types of gray and made entirely
    Thermal Protection of carbon composite
    System (TPS) materi- material. The molded
    Engineers from around NASA are working on improving the RCC
    als. The TPS also panels used on the leading edge of the wing of the orbiters. In the components are
    protects the airframe Orbiter Processing Facility, astronaut Scott E. Parazynski joins approximately 0.25-
    and major systems some of them in front of the panels on Atlantis. inch to 0.5-inch thick.
    from the extremely During fabrication, the
    cold conditions experienced when the vehicle is in RCC panels are treated so they are resistant to
    the night phase of orbit. oxidation and covered with a silicon carbide coating
    The main types of thermal materials are Rein- and a final coating of a glass sealant. They can
    forced Carbon-Carbon (RCC), Low- and High- withstand temperatures up to 3,220 degrees Fahren-
    Temperature Reusable Surface Insulation tiles, Felt heit.
    Reusable Surface Insulation blankets, Fibrous Although the RCC panels are strong and capable
    Insulation blankets and Inconel honeycomb panels. of withstanding extreme temperatures, they are
    The RCC panels are used on the orbiter's wing thermally conductive. This brings a need to exten-
    leading edges; the nose cap and an area immediately sively use insulating blankets and tiles behind the
    aft of the nose cap on the lower surface (chin panel); RCC panels to protect the structure and attach
    1
    camera. As the panels cool, internal flaws are
    revealed. This form of NDI is in the development
    stage at KSC as RCC panel testing proceeds.
    Computer-aided CAT scan uses magnetic
    resonance to scan the internal structure of the RCC
    panels. Panels are sent to a lab in Canoga Park,
    Calif., where a much larger machine is used to detect
    flaws.
    NDE methods include eddy current, ultrasound
    and X-ray. Eddy current is a technique that measures
    coating thickness and density properties of the
    panels. An electronic field detects disturbances in the
    United Space Alliance worker Dan Kenna (right) positions
    a Reinforced Carbon-Carbon panel on the table to perform
    panels, such as cracks and imperfections.
    flash thermography. In the background, Paul Ogletree During an ultrasound inspection, sound pulse
    observes the monitor.
    waves are sent out to the component. As they are
    received back, defects and discontinuities are
    fittings from heat radiated from the backside. detected. X-rays of panels are performed at
    Prior to each Space Shuttle mission, the RCC Lockheed Martin facilities in Dallas, Texas.
    panels undergo three inspections to ensure their In addition, several inspections of the metal
    integrity. The first is a post-flight, visual micro detail components behind the RCC panels are performed.
    inspection of the TPS, which includes the RCC. First, a visual inspection reveals any flaws to the
    During this inspection, all exterior surfaces of the naked eye. A dye-pen test, using a dye of red or
    orbiter are closely examined and any damage is purple, is applied to the component. Then, a black-
    documented for repair. light is used to reveal any liquid that has penetrated
    The second is a pre-rollout inspection of TPS the components, indicating cracks on or deeper than
    that also includes the RCC. This visual inspection the surface.
    checks again for any external damage. The third is a Current requirements state KSC will inspect all
    "tactile test,"or hands-on test, that examines the of the thermal protection system and RCC to verify
    hottest panels (panels 6-17) for evidence of loose or integrity before flight.
    separated coating. These inspections are required
    and performed for every flight.
    If damage is seen, the RCC section is removed
    and returned to the vendor for repair and refurbish-
    ment. Also, after a specified number of missions, the
    RCC panels are sent back to the vendor to be
    recoated.
    During return-to-flight activities, all RCC panels
    undergo extensive non-destructive inspections (NDI)
    and non-destructive evaluations (NDE).
    NDI inspections include the use of thermography
    and CAT scan to detect imperfections or cracks in
    the structures on and below the surface. Thermogra-
    phy, a relatively new procedure at KSC, uses high United Space Alliance worker Mike Hyatt attaches a
    Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) panel onto the leading
    intensity light to heat areas of the panels. The panels edge of the wing of the orbiter Atlantis, which is being
    are then immediately scanned with an infrared prepared for Return to Flight on mission STS-114.

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