Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!emory!wa4mei!ke4zv!gary From: gary@ke4zv.UUCP (Gary Coffman) Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle Subject: Re: Fuel Leaks - Historical Perspective Message-ID: <1333@ke4zv.UUCP> Date: 19 Sep 90 14:18:46 GMT References: Reply-To: gary@ke4zv.UUCP (Gary Coffman) Organization: Gannett Technologies Group Lines: 27 In article mbullock@ADS.COM (Michael E. Bullock) writes: >Concerning the seeming inability of NASA to resolve the fuel >leak problems: > >I don't recall NASA having these problems earlier in the shuttle >program (i.e., STS 1 - 25). Is this all a recent phenomena, or >did they have leaks before, but the mission scrub threshold was >higher so they flew anyways? Or are they now performing more >leak measurements and are finding leaks than might have escaped >detection before? In other words, is NASA being more careful >with respect to leaks in the post-Challenger era - or is this >a hardware problem unique to these missions? I think you've hit the nail right on the head. The shuttle fleet is getting older and stresses are beginning to show up. NASA is being more cautious than in the past. And something else; low bid contractor labor is being used now to prep and launch the shuttles. I remember reading about the massive turnover in ground crew when the changeover to contract labor was made. This may have nothing to do with the current problem and I'm sure that there are plenty of sharp, experienced, and dedicated people working for Rockwell. Still, it raises a question in my mind considering first the defective seal on the 17 inch line and then the crimped seal on the prevalve. It sounds like lack of attention to detail during assembly similar to the problems GM had at Lordstown when they sped up the line to save a buck. Gary