In orbit, meanwhile, Discovery's astronauts slowly and delicately inspected the wings and nose for launch damage, using a 100-foot movable arm with lasers and a camera mounted on its tip. NASA lead ...

Now the failure of the tiles is a leading theory for the catastrophic end of Columbia. NASA struggled for years in trying to ensure that the tiles were firmly attached to the shuttle, Paul Fischbeck, ...

Click to open image viewer. Strips of ceramic insulation fabric like this were inserted between thermal protection tiles on the Space Shuttle as a barrier to heat and airflow. This particular tile gap ...

MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. – A new space shuttle tile inspection method using NASA-built, wireless scanners is replacing manual inspection. The new process begins with the upcoming shuttle mission, STS-118 ...

NASA is expanding its offer to museums and schools of space shuttle heat shield tiles and food packaged for spaceflight. Beginning Tuesday, museums across the United States will be eligible to receive ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A close-up laser inspection by Endeavour's astronauts yesterday revealed that a 3½-inch-long gouge penetrates all the way through the thermal shielding on the shuttle's belly.