Data compiled from Neptec's LCS creates a 3D model showing the depth of the damage that the Endeavor's thermal protection system incurred. The above shows the end profile on the left and the side profile on the right.
Since its inaugural flight in 2005 on STS-114, Neptec's LCS has been a mandatory system on every NASA shuttle mission. The LCS is one of a suite of sensors on the end of the NASA inspection boom which is used to provide a clear view to areas that were once invisible to the astronauts inside the shuttle.
Using a proprietary triangulation method, the LCS captures direct 3D measurements to create accurate, full scale, three-dimensional models allowing astronauts and the engineers at Mission Control Center to work together to assess any areas of damage.
On STS-118, a gouge was created after a piece of foam hit the shuttle 58 seconds after lift off. The LCS has been used to scan the damaged area, creating accurate 3D models for NASA's engineering and mission management team to use in assessing whether to repair the damage prior to allowing Endeavour to re-enter the earth's atmosphere.
Located near the right main landing gear door, this gouge is nine centimeters long and penetrates all the way through the thermal shielding on the shuttle's belly.
Data compiled from Neptec's LCS creates a 3D model showing the depth of the damage that the Endeavor's thermal protection system incurred. The above shows the end profile on the left and the side profile on the right.
Neptec's LCS produces a false colour scan of the damaged area on Endeavor's thermal protection system. The image is colour coded such that the deeper damage is coloured red.
Neptec's LCS data creates a 3D scan of the damage on Endeavor's thermal protection system.
