The NASA Langley Research Center has chosen ThermaCAM S65 as the preferred infrared camera system for its shuttle and International Space Station programs.
The modified camera system was successfully used during the July 2006 STS-121 Discovery mission.
“Amazing”said astronaut Mike Fossumwhile scanning parts of the International Space Station (ISS) and the orbiter with his infrared camera during a space walk 350 km above earth. That happened on 12th July2006. It was the first use of infrared thermography in space. A joint effort by NASA and FLIR Systems made it happen.
One of the reasons for the 2003 Columbia space shuttle disaster was damage in the heat insulation on the leading edge of one of the wings. This failed to protect the shuttle and its crew when they re-entered the atmosphere. The damages occurred shortly after take-offwhen pieces of insulation peeled off from the external tank and hit Columbia’s port (left) wing. The loss of Columbia and its crew prompted NASA to find and develop methods to increase the safety of its missions. The NASA Langley Research Center considered thermal imaging as a solution that should be able to inspect and report damages to the heat shield. After an evaluation of infrared cameras available on the marketNASA engineers chose ThermaCAM S65a camera developed and produced at FLIR Systems in DanderydSweden.
In January 2005a joint co-operation project between NASA and FLIR was set up to turn the ThermaCAM S65 into space-hardened EVA (Extra Vehicular Activity) flight hardware.
These modifications would enable the camera to stand mechanical kick loadcosmic and intense sun radiationfire hazardshockvibrationelectromagnetic compatibility and severe temperature requirements. Moreoverthe crew had to be provided with a camera which could operate on a space-certified battery packand which could be used with big gloves during spacewalks.
Several development teams were formed. The NASA Langley Research Center (HamptonVirginia) led the design and development of the project. NASA Langley together with FLIR Systems Sweden took care of the electro-optic sensing and software areathe Goddard Space Flight Center (Maryland) developed the EVA mechanical interfaceswhile the Johnson Space Center (HoustonTexas) conducted astronaut evaluations and training.
FLIR Systems delivered in total 11 modified cameras to NASA. The Langley Center built four identical systems based on the modified versions delivered by FLIR Systemsfor support of STS-114STS-121and STS-115 as well as the International Space Station.
For its July 2005 STS-114 Discovery missionthe space agency worked out a spacewalk inspection project in case damages would occur on the wings.
As smaller cracks and delaminating cannot be seen with an ocular inspectionthe FLIR camera system was flown on STS-114 as a contingency.
Luckilyno damages occurred. The EVA IR system was then transferred to the International Space Station.
After some delaySTS-121the Discovery with seven astronauts was launched into space on 4th July 2006. The mission delivered suppliesequipment and German ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter to the ISS international space station.
The Discovery lift-off was the most photographed of any shuttle mission. The cameras captured the dislodging of small pieces of foambut well after the critical first two minuteswhen the aircraft is subject to maximum aerodynamic pressure. Later on this pressure decreases with altitude.
Three spacewalks were scheduled for STS-121. The third was intended to test orbiter heat shield repair techniques.
The cargo bay of the Discovery contained a sample box with an array of 10 pre-damaged Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) samples.
These samples were used to test new adhesive repair techniquesbut they were also imaged by the EVA IR camera. The astronauts also used the camerawhich was attached to their spacewalk tool beltto scan the wing leading edge of the shuttle and the radiators of the ISS.
The camera flown on STS-121 and used during the spacewalkremained onboard the ISS. Another demonstration has been scheduled by two of the ISS’s astronauts.
For more informationvisit www.infracam.co.uk
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