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Fortunately, the filler is not needed for landing due to the difference in airflow during re-entry.
NASA probing damaged blanket
Meanwhile, engineers are working to determine if another anomaly discovered on the orbiter -- a damaged thermal blanket under one of the cockpit windows -- also poses a threat.
A photographic analysis of the blanket, which is about 20 inches long and 4 inches wide, showed that it was punctured at one end -- possibly by debris -- and "poufed out" at the other, Hale said.
He said the damage to the blanket doesn't pose a threat of excessive heating or tearing away during re-entry, when Discovery is traveling at a speed in excess of Mach 20, or 20 times the speed of sound. However, once the shuttle slows to below Mach 6, there is concern is that the blanket might tear away and strike the orbiter, he said.
Originally posted by Hal9000
I would think that the gap filler was there for a reason. I think they should have filled it just in case. They would also gain the knowledge of the effects of the repair filler after landing. Even if it wasn't nessesary, the info could be useful in the future.
Good luck on the landing.
Originally posted by Hal9000
I would think that the gap filler was there for a reason.