NASA Decides Duct Tape Can't Be Used In Space Shuttle Repair

[matcom]

<snip>

HOUSTON (Reuters) - High-tech NASA may repair a torn heat-resistant blanket on the space shuttle Atlantis in a low-tech way -- by sending an astronaut out to stitch it together, the U.S. space agency said on Tuesday.

The space-suited seamster would use stainless steel wire and a hooked needle to sew the protruding blanket into place, said deputy shuttle program manager John Shannon.

He said the universal fix-it tool -- duct tape -- was discussed, but quickly discarded.

"Duct tape doesn't work in the vacuum of space," he told reporters at Johnson Space Center.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070613/sc_nm/space_shuttle_dc;_ylt=Aq6GlX82DT9r7Rgghjv4gcDMWM0F

[Hugin]

1. They should just cram a diaper into it...

:)

[matcom]

2. BAH!

BWWWAAAAHHHHAAAAA

:rofl:

[Richardo]

3. I swear I was going to reply 'it doesn't work in a vacuum' as a *joke*

Why would adhesive not work in a vacuum?

[Hugin]

6. If it's water based or temperature sensitive adhesive it won't work.

I say those guys down in Houston have a problem... We need SPACE AGE duct tape!

[XNASA]

13. My first guess would be that the temp varies too much in space.

Duct tape would probably work fine in space if you could keep the temps around 80 F. But too much hot, or cold, and the duct tape would cease to adhere.

[Zuiderelle]

4. I certainly hope that astronaut doesn't stick him/herself with the needle.

That would really suck in outerspace.

[Hugin]

5. Not to worry... They have Astrothimbles in their Astrodarning kits.

[commander bunnypants]

7. Saran wrap

It also keeps out poisonous gas..CB

[matcom]

8. Saran Wrap? Really?

but Tom Ridge told me to buy DUCT TAPE!!!1

x(

[commander bunnypants]

10. well

dang you need duct tape to hang the saran wrap against a terra attack.

[matcom]

11. never though of that

I poked holed in my saran wrap and hung it from hooks. pretty ingenious huh?

[commander bunnypants]

12. larf larf larf

thanks for the giggle.

CB

[texas1928]

9. They used it on the moon.

to fix thier little dune buggy thing.

[Oeditpus Rex]

14. I posted this last night

after hearing it on the news.

It got one reply — a scientific explanation as to why duct tape doesn't work in space. x(

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=6609371&mesg_id=6609371









But still... I scooped Matcom News. :woohoo:

[ncrainbowgrrl]

15. Noooooo!!!!

That disproves that duct tape can't be used for everything.

I'm gonna cry. :cry:

My world has been shattered.

Maybe I better go get some presidential socks and crocs to calm me down.