... see what was actually happening to COLUMBIA
during this now famous photograph ...
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Broadcast quality computer animations of Columbia's final moments, for
TV News Graphics
Educational Materials
Documentary IllustrationPURCHASE INFORMATION
The space shuttle, many aspects of its normal operation and possible causes
for its breakup on re-entry have been illustrated through the use of computer
modeling. A package of high-quality animations graphically depict Columbia's
final moments.
Revisions to the package are being made as investigative reports and new information become available. Custom modifications and detail enhancements are possible to suit any particular and specific need.
- Please note that samples have been reduced in quality for internet display. -
De-Orbit Process
The shuttle Columbia, shown here, apparently hovers in one of its final orbits, awaiting its best oppportunity to execute a de-orbit thruster burn. (20 sec.)
The orbiter begins the de-orbit process by firing its thrusters. The vehicle is top-down with respect to the Earth. Its main engines are pointed in the direction of orbit. The rocket motors slow the orbiter, which then tends to fall from orbit. (20 sec.) Mpeg1 (1.5M)
The shuttle is shown, appearing as a dot on the horizon, streaking toward and past the camera with thrusters firing. (20 sec.)
A silhouette view of the decelerating shuttle against the surface of the Earth.
Orbiter moves through the frame from upper right to lower left. Thrusters shut down about two-thirds of the way through the scene. (20 sec.) Mpeg1 (1.3M)
From its upside-down orientation the shuttle must position itself in a nose-first attitude, flying with its protective heat tiles downward. This requires 180 degree rotation in two axes. (20 sec.)
A view of Columbia traveling through the frame, using its attitude control thrusters to correct its attitude for bottom-down contact with the atmosphere. (20 sec.)
As the shuttle enters the atmosphere, a cloud of fiery hot gases is produced by the heat from friction against the air. The temperature rises to above 2000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Orbiter, with name Columbia clearly visible, drops past camera as flames increase around it. (20 sec.) Mpeg1 (1.65M)
Attitude control thrusters keep the vehicle stable during its descent through the atmosphere. Maintaining the attitude and balance of the shuttle is done through computer control of several small thrusters. (20 sec.)
These super-hot gases, also called a plasma, engulf the orbiter. The effect is so severe that radio communication with the ground is not possible for a period of time during re-entry. In this hot cloud of fiery gas, the orbiter literally surfs the atmosphere down to an altitude permitting conventional flight. This acts like a brake, dissipating the energy which keeps the shuttle in orbit. (20 sec.) Mpeg1 (559K)
An illustration of one of the shuttle's many attitude control thrusters located at various points on the body of the craft. Shows how thrusters may move the orbiter up and down to maintain proper attitude through the carefully controlled descent. (6 sec)
A slow rotation around the shuttle Columbia reveals the more than twenty-thousand heat protective tiles, each fashioned by hand and carefully glued in place. The vulnerable under-surface of the shuttle is shown beneath a single tile, removed for illustration. (27 sec.)
Specifications
The basic specifications of Columbia are given in moving illustration.
Larger than most people realize, the space shuttle is longer than two semi trucks. It has a wingspan of 78 feet and is over four stories tall, not counting the landing gear. (10 sec.)
Possible Causes of Failure
One of the possibilities is that chunks of foam from the main tank, observed breaking away at liftoff, knocked some of the tiles loose. This would have left some of the underside exposed and vulnerable to overheating upon re-entry. (10 sec.) Mpeg1 (1.27M)
As shown by this sequence, it is possible for a meteorite or other rapidly moving object to have collided with the orbiter. The object may have penetrated a wing surface, knocking off protective heat tiles, similarly causing excessive heating upon re-entry. (14 sec.)
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There were reports from military tracking stations that an object was observed leaving the shuttle, once in orbit, at a speed of 11 miles per hour, suspected to have been a misplaced tool. There is the strange and remote possibility that the shuttle collided with the very tool which escaped from its own cargo bay. The wrench shown spins past camera. (10 sec.) Mpeg1 (405K)
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