Columbia undergoes changes
Space Shuttle Columbia in Palmdale, California at Air Force Plant 42, where the orbiter is undewent her latest major modifications period. Columbia returned to KSC in March 2001.
A look at
the nose of Columbia surrounded by work stands. If you would walk around Air
Force Plant 42 and you would not know that an orbiter is in the building you
could easily walk by it.
The new
nose of Columbia. During this modification period a complete new nose was
installed on Columbia.
The aft
heat shield tiles of Columbia. During launch the tiles between the main engines
are hit by a lot of debris as this photo clearly shows.
The tail of
Columbia, and the place were the drag chute is stored. Note the many papers
that make you aware to be careful with the tiles.
Vertical
stabilizer of Columbia with the SILTS (Shuttle Infrared Leeside Temperature
Sensing) pod. The SILTS experiment has been removed but the top section of the
tail that housed the experiment is part of the airframe.
A Boeing
worker is busy replacing wires on Columbia. During this Modification period
almost all of the wires on Columbia have been replaced or repaired.
The newly
installed “flipper doors” on the wing of Columbia (see Spaceflight September
1999).
Starboard
side of the Columbia’s crew module with the ground emergency escape panel to
open the overhead windows. Note the not so white tiles on Columbia’s body.
Underside
of Columbia with some newly installed tiles. Note the difference in colour in
old and new tiles.
