Review of Test Data Indicates Conservatism for Tile Penetration

1. Review of Test Data Indicates Conservatism for Tile Penetration • The existing SOFI on tile test data used to create Crater was reviewed along with STS-87 Southwest Research data • Crater overpredicted penetration of tile coating significantly • Initial penetration to described by normal velocity • Varies with volume/mass of projectile (e.g., 200ft/sec for 3cu. In) • Significant energy is required for the softer SOFI particle to penetrate the relatively hard tile coating • Test results do show that it is possible at sufficient mass and velocity • Conversely, once tile is penetrated SOFI can cause significant damage • Minor variations in total energy (above penetration level) can cause significant tile damage • Flight Condition is significantly outside of test database • Volume of ramp is 1920cu in vs 3 cu in for test

2. Recommend Immediate Visual Inspection of Columbia • The Crater software can not predict damage to Columbia because the foam piece that hit the ship was big and was travelling very quickly. • Even tiny foam particles can penetrate the tiles when they strike with sufficient velocity. • Once tiles are penetrated, significant damage to the spacecraft is possible. • The foam piece that hit Columbia was 600 times bigger than the foam used to calibrate Crater. • 1920 in3 vs. 3 in3 for test. • Therefore, as a predictor, Crater is useless in this case.

3. Recommend Immediate Visual Inspection of Columbia • The Crater software can not predict damage to Columbia because the foam piece that hit the ship was big and was travelling very quickly. • Even tiny foam particles can penetrate the tiles when they strike with sufficient velocity. • Once tiles are penetrated, significant damage to the spacecraft is possible. • The foam piece that hit Columbia was 600 times bigger than the foam used to calibrate Crater. • 1920 in3 vs. 3 in3 for test. • Therefore, as a predictor, Crater is useless in this case.

4. Recommend Immediate Visual Inspection of Columbia • The Crater software can not predict damage to Columbia because the foam piece that hit the ship was big and was travelling very quickly. • Even tiny foam particles can penetrate the tiles when they strike with sufficient velocity. • Once tiles are penetrated, significant damage to the spacecraft is possible. • The foam piece that hit Columbia was 600 times bigger than the foam used to calibrate Crater. • 1920 in3 vs. 3 in3 for test. • Therefore, as a predictor, Crater is useless in this case.

5. Recommend Immediate Visual Inspection of Columbia • The Crater software can not predict damage to Columbia because the foam piece that hit the ship was big and was travelling very quickly. • Even tiny foam particles can penetrate the tiles when they strike with sufficient velocity. • Once tiles are penetrated, significant damage to the spacecraft is possible. • The foam piece that hit Columbia was 600 times bigger than the foam used to calibrate Crater. • 1920 in3 vs. 3 in3 for test. • Therefore, as a predictor, Crater is useless in this case.

6. Recommend Immediate Visual Inspection of Columbia • The Crater software can not predict damage to Columbia because the foam piece that hit the ship was big and was travelling very quickly. • Even tiny foam particles can penetrate the tiles when they strike with sufficient velocity. • Once tiles are penetrated, significant damage to the spacecraft is possible. • The foam piece that hit Columbia was 600 times bigger than the foam used to calibrate Crater. • 1920 in3 vs. 3 in3 for test. • Therefore, as a predictor, Crater is useless in this case.

7. Recommend Immediate Visual Inspection of Columbia • The Crater software can not predict damage to Columbia because the foam piece that hit the ship was big and was travelling very quickly. • Even tiny foam particles can penetrate the tiles when they strike with sufficient velocity. • Once tiles are penetrated, significant damage to the spacecraft is possible. • The foam piece that hit Columbia was 600 times bigger than the foam used to calibrate Crater. • 1920 in3 vs. 3 in3 for test. • Therefore, as a predictor, Crater is useless in this case.

8. Recommend Immediate Visual Inspection of Columbia • The Crater software can not predict damage to Columbia because the foam piece that hit the ship was big and was travelling very quickly. • Even tiny foam particles can penetrate the tiles when they strike with sufficient velocity. • Once tiles are penetrated, significant damage to the spacecraft is possible. • The foam piece that hit Columbia was 600 times bigger than the foam used to calibrate Crater. • 1920 in3 vs. 3 in3 for test. • Therefore, as a predictor, Crater is useless in this case.

9. Recommend Immediate Visual Inspection of Columbia • The Crater software can not predict damage to Columbia because the foam piece that hit the ship was big and was travelling very quickly. • Even tiny foam particles can penetrate the tiles when they strike with sufficient velocity. • Once tiles are penetrated, significant damage to the spacecraft is possible. • The foam piece that hit Columbia was 600 times bigger than the foam used to calibrate Crater. • 1920 in3 vs. 3 in3 for test. • Therefore, as a predictor, Crater is useless in this case.

10. Recommend Immediate Visual Inspection of Columbia • The Crater software can not predict damage to Columbia because the foam piece that hit the ship was big and was travelling very quickly. • Even tiny foam particles can penetrate the tiles when they strike with sufficient velocity. • Once tiles are penetrated, significant damage to the spacecraft is possible. • The foam piece that hit Columbia was 600 times bigger than the foam used to calibrate Crater. • 1920 in3 vs. 3 in3 for test. • Therefore, as a predictor, Crater is useless in this case.

11. Recommend Immediate Visual Inspection of Columbia Sample damage from a very small foam hit Size of foam that hit Columbia is 600 times bigger

12. Recommend Immediate Visual Inspection of Columbia Sample damage from a very small foam hit Size of foam that hit Columbia is 600 times bigger

13. Recommend Immediate Visual Inspection of Columbia Recommend Immediate Visual Inspection of Columbia Sample damage from a very small “dime size” foam hit Size of foam that hit Columbia is 600 times bigger

14. 1.67” 0” 1.67” Recommend Immediate Visual Inspection of Columbia Recommend Immediate Visual Inspection of Columbia Sample damage from a very small “dime size” foam hit 1.25” 0” Size of foam that hit Columbia is 600 times bigger 1.25”

15. 1.67” 0” 1.67” 1.25” 0” 1.25”

16. Recommend Immediate Visual Inspection of Columbia Recommend Immediate Visual Inspection of Columbia Sample damage from a very small “dime size” foam hit Size of foam that hit Columbia is 600 times bigger

17. Need to Inspect Columbia! The Crater software can not predict damage to Columbia The foam piece that hit Columbia was 600 times bigger than the foam hits used to calibrate Crater.

18. 1.67” 0” 1.67” Need to Inspect Columbia! The Crater software can not predict damage to Columbia 1.25” 0” 1.25” The foam piece that hit Columbia was 600 times bigger than the foam hits used to calibrate Crater.

19. Sample of a screen on a background