Editing Space Shuttle Columbia disaster (section)

== NASA response ==
=== Space Shuttle updates ===
The Space Shuttle program was suspended after the loss of ''Columbia''.<ref name=learn>{{cite news |work=Space |url=http://www.space.com/19436-columbia-disaster.html |title=Columbia Disaster: What Happened, What NASA Learned |last1=Howell|first1=Elizabeth|last2=Dobrijevic|first2=Daisy |access-date=August 19, 2022|date=October 11, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160925054548/http://www.space.com/19436-columbia-disaster.html |archive-date=September 25, 2016}}</ref> The further construction of the [[International Space Station]] (ISS) was delayed, as the Space Shuttle had been scheduled for seven missions to the ISS in 2003 and 2004 to complete its construction.<ref name="popsci_iss">{{cite magazine
  | last = Mowbray
  | first = Scott
  | title = After Columbia: The ISS in Crisis
  | magazine = Popular Science
  | date = March 17, 2003
| url = https://www.popsci.com/military-aviation-space/article/2003-03/after-columbia-iss-crisis/
  | accessdate = August 19, 2022
| archive-date = September 17, 2021
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210917081156/https://www.popsci.com/military-aviation-space/article/2003-03/after-columbia-iss-crisis/
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref>
To prevent future foam strikes, the ET was redesigned to remove foam from the bipod. Instead, electric heaters were installed to prevent ice building up in the bipod due to the cold liquid oxygen in its feedlines.<ref name="rtfupgrades_p1">{{cite web
  | last = Armstrong
  | first = Dennis
  | title = Shuttle in Shipshape
  | publisher = NASA
  | date = March 8, 2005
| url = https://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight/system/rtfupgrades_partI.html
  | accessdate = August 19, 2022
| archive-date = March 3, 2022
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220303030431/https://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight/system/rtfupgrades_partI.html
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref> Additional heaters were also installed along the liquid oxygen line, which ran from the base of the tank to its interstage section.<ref name="bellows">{{cite web
  | last = Jensen
  | first = Martin
  | title = The Heat is On! New Heater Added to Space Shuttle's Fuel Tank
  | publisher = NASA
  | date = June 13, 2005
| url = https://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight/system/bellows_heater.html
  | accessdate = August 19, 2022
| archive-date = June 18, 2021
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210618235210/https://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight/system/bellows_heater.html
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref> NASA also improved its ground imaging capabilities at Kennedy Space Center to better observe and monitor potential issues that occur during launch. The existing cameras at LC-39A, [[Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39B|LC-39B]], and along the coast were upgraded, and nine new camera sites were added. Cameras were added to the bellies of ''Discovery'', ''Atlantis'', and ''Endeavour'' (only ''Columbia'' and ''Challenger'' had them prior) to allow digital images of the ET to be viewed on the ground soon after launch. The prior system on ''Columbia'' used film and could only be downlinked after the orbiter returned to Earth.{{r|rtfupgrades_p1}} The Orbiter Boom Sensor System, a camera on the end of the [[Canadarm]], was added to allow the crew to inspect the orbiter for any tile damage once they reached orbit.<ref name="rtfupgrades_p2">{{cite web
  | last = Armstrong
  | first = Dennis
  | title = Shuttle in Shipshape: Part II
  | publisher = NASA
  | date = March 5, 2006
| url = https://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight/system/rtfupgrades_partII.html
  | accessdate = August 19, 2022
| archive-date = March 24, 2022
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220324232952/https://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight/system/rtfupgrades_partII.html
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref><ref name="orbiter_boom">{{cite web
  | last = Heiney
  | first = Anna
  | title = Lending a Hand, an Arm ... and a Boom
  | publisher = NASA
  | date = January 28, 2005
| url = https://www.nasa.gov/missions/shuttle/journal_jan.html
  | accessdate = August 19, 2022
| archive-date = April 15, 2019
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190415045500/https://www.nasa.gov/missions/shuttle/journal_jan.html
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref> Each of the orbiter's wings was equipped with 22 temperature sensors to detect any breaches during reentry and with 66 [[accelerometers]] to detect an impact. Post-landing inspection procedures were updated to include technicians examining the RCC panels using flash thermography.{{r|rtfupgrades_p2}}

As well as the updates to the orbiter, NASA prepared contingency plans in the event that a mission would be unable to safely land. The plan involved the stranded mission docking with the ISS, on which the crew would inspect and attempt to repair the damaged orbiter. If they were unsuccessful, they would remain aboard the ISS and wait for a rescue.{{r|rescue_book|p=81}} The rescue mission, designated [[STS-3xx]], would be activated, and would use the next-in-line hardware for the orbiter, ET, and SRBs. The expected time to launch would be 35 days, as that was the requirement to prepare launch facilities.{{r|rescue_book|pp=89–91}} Before the arrival of the rescue mission, the stranded crew would power up the damaged orbiter, which would be remotely controlled as it was undocked and deorbited, and its debris would land in the Pacific Ocean.{{r|rescue_book|p=62}} The minimal crew would launch, dock with the ISS, and spend a day transferring astronauts and equipment before undocking and landing.<ref name="rescue_book">{{cite web
  | title = Contingency Shuttle Crew Support (CSCS)/Rescue Flight Resource Book
  | publisher = NASA
  | date = July 12, 2005
| url = https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/153444main_CSCS_Resource_%20Book.pdf
  | id = JSC-62900
  | accessdate = December 16, 2022
| archive-date = December 16, 2022
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221216112212/https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/153444main_CSCS_Resource_%20Book.pdf
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref>{{Reference page|pages=89–91}}

=== First Return to Flight mission (STS-114) ===
{{Main|STS-114}}
[[File:STS-114-Debris-Animation.gif|thumb|The STS-114 ET losing a large piece of foam|alt=Video image from external tank as foam falls off during flight]]

The first Return to Flight mission, STS-114, began with the launch of ''Discovery'' on July 26, 2005, at 10:39{{spaces}}am (EDT).<ref name="sts114_launch">{{cite web
  | last = Armstrong
  | first = Dennis
  | title = Launch and Landing
  | publisher = NASA
  | date = March 5, 2006
| url = https://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight/launch/index.html
  | accessdate = August 20, 2022
| archive-date = July 26, 2021
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210726112125/https://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight/launch/index.html
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref> Sixteen pieces of foam from the ET were dislodged during the launch that were large enough to be considered significant by NASA investigators,<ref name="sts114_tigerteam">{{cite web
  | title = STS-114 External Tank Tiger Team Report
  | publisher = NASA
  | date = October 2005
  | url = https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/136149main_ET_tiger_team_report.pdf
  | accessdate = August 20, 2022
| archive-date = November 29, 2021
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211129144753/https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/136149main_ET_tiger_team_report.pdf
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref>{{rp|7}} including one piece that was approximately {{convert|36|by|11|in|cm}}.{{r|sts114_tigerteam|p=18}} Post-launch investigations did not find any indications of damage from the foam loss, but ET video did reveal that a small piece of TPS tile from the nose landing gear fell off during launch.<ref name="malik_foam">{{cite news
  | last = Malik
  | first = Tariq
  | title = Multiple Pieces of Foam Fly in Shuttle Launch, Forcing Fleet Grounding
  | work = Space
  | date = July 27, 2005
| url = https://www.space.com/1357-multiple-pieces-foam-fly-shuttle-launch-forcing-fleet-grounding.html
  | accessdate = August 20, 2022
| archive-date = May 21, 2022
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220521110617/https://www.space.com/1357-multiple-pieces-foam-fly-shuttle-launch-forcing-fleet-grounding.html
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref> Upon reaching orbit the crew inspected ''Discovery'' with the Orbiter Boom Sensor System. On July 29 ''Discovery'' [[Space rendezvous|rendezvoused]] with the ISS and, before [[Docking and berthing of spacecraft|docking]], performed the first [[rendezvous pitch maneuver]] to allow the crew aboard the ISS to observe and photograph the orbiter's belly.<ref name="sts114_feature">{{cite web
  | last = Armstrong
  | first = Dennis
  | title = A Spectacular Test Flight
  | publisher = NASA
  | date = August 23, 2005
| url = https://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight/main/sts114mission.html
  | accessdate = August 20, 2022
| archive-date = January 21, 2022
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220121170414/https://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight/main/sts114mission.html
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref> The next day, astronauts [[Soichi Noguchi]] and [[Stephen Robinson]] performed the first of three [[spacewalks]]. They tested a tile repair tool, the Emittance Wash Applicator, on intentionally damaged TPS tiles that had been brought in the [[Space Shuttle#Payload bay|payload bay]].<ref name="olympus">{{cite book
  | last1 = Ta
  | first1 = Julie B.
  | last2 = Treviño
  | first2 = Robert C.
  | title = Walking to Olympus An EVA Chronology, 1997–2011
  | publisher = NASA
  | year = 2016
  | location = Washington, DC
  | isbn = 978-1626830318
  | url = https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/walking-to-olympus_tagged.pdf
  | id = NASA SP-2016-4550
  | accessdate = August 20, 2022
| archive-date = March 10, 2022
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220310114319/https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/walking-to-olympus_tagged.pdf
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref>{{Reference page|page=62}} On August 3 the same astronauts performed the third EVA of the mission, during which Robinson stood on the ISS's [[Mobile Servicing System|Canadarm2]] and went to ''Discovery''{{'}}s belly to remove two gap fillers between tiles that had begun to protrude.{{r|olympus|p=63}}<ref name="nasm_gap_filler">{{cite web
  | title = Tile Gap Filler, Shuttle, STS-114
  | publisher = [[National Air and Space Museum]]
  | date = 2022
  | url = https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/tile-gap-filler-shuttle-sts-114/nasm_A20060583000
  | accessdate = August 20, 2022
| archive-date = August 21, 2022
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220821191123/https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/tile-gap-filler-shuttle-sts-114/nasm_A20060583000
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref> After a delay due to bad weather at KSC, the decision was made to land at [[Edwards AFB]]. ''Discovery'' successfully landed at 8:11{{spaces}}am (EDT) on August 9.{{r|sts114_launch}}{{r|sts114_feature}} Had ''Discovery'' been unable to safely land, the crew would have remained on the ISS until ''Atlantis'' was flown to rescue them.<ref name="sts114-atlantis">{{cite news
  | last = Watson
  | first = Traci
  | title = The mission NASA hopes won't happen
  | work = [[USA Today]]
  | date = March 22, 2005
| url = https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/science/space/2005-03-22-shuttle-cover_x.htm
  | accessdate = November 28, 2022
| archive-date = January 15, 2023
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230115201734/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/science/space/2005-03-22-shuttle-cover_x.htm
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref> As a result of the foam loss, NASA grounded the Space Shuttle fleet again.{{r|learn}}{{r|malik_foam}}

=== Second Return to Flight mission (STS-121) ===
{{Main|STS-121}}

To address the problem of foam loss for the second Return to Flight mission ([[STS-121]]), NASA engineers removed the foam ramp from the protuberance air load (PAL) on the ET, which was the source of the largest piece of debris on STS-114.<ref name="malik_sts121">{{cite news
  | last = Malik
  | first = Tariq
  | title = NASA Nixes Foam Ramp for Next Space Shuttle Flight
  | work = Space
  | date = December 15, 2005
| url = https://www.space.com/1871-nasa-nixes-foam-ramp-space-shuttle-flight.html
  | accessdate = August 21, 2022
| archive-date = March 24, 2022
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220324002648/https://www.space.com/1871-nasa-nixes-foam-ramp-space-shuttle-flight.html
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref> The launch was postponed from its scheduled launch of July 1, 2006, and again on July 2 due to inclement weather at KSC.<ref name="sts121_mission_accomplished">{{cite web
  | last = Marconi
  | first = Elaine M.
  | title = Mission Accomplished!
  | publisher = NASA
  | date = July 26, 2006
| url = https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts121/multimedia/121-overview.html
  | accessdate = August 21, 2022
| archive-date = June 8, 2017
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170608063436/https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts121/multimedia/121-overview.html
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref> On July 3 a piece of foam approximately {{convert|3|by|.25|in|cm}} and weighing {{convert|0.0057|lbs|g}} broke off from the ET.<ref name="malik_foam_loss">{{cite news
  | last = Malik
  | first = Tariq
  | title = Impact of Foam Crack On Shuttle Launch Still Uncertain
  | work = Space
  | date = July 3, 2006
| url = https://www.space.com/2581-impact-foam-crack-shuttle-launch-uncertain.html
  | accessdate = August 21, 2022
| archive-date = January 23, 2021
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210123055116/https://www.space.com/2581-impact-foam-crack-shuttle-launch-uncertain.html
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref><ref name="nasa_foam_sts121">{{cite web
  | last = Ryba
  | first = Jeanne
  | title = Space Shuttle Discovery: ET Foam
  | publisher = NASA
  | date = July 3, 2006
| url = https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts121/multimedia/foam_gallery.html
  | accessdate = August 21, 2022
| archive-date = June 28, 2017
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170628062748/https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts121/multimedia/foam_gallery.html
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref> The mission still launched as scheduled at 2:38{{spaces}}pm (EDT) on July 4.<ref name="sts121_overview">{{cite web
  | last = Wilson
  | first = Jim
  | title = Overview
  | publisher = NASA
  | date = November 24, 2007
| url = https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts121/launch/index.html
  | accessdate = August 21, 2022
| archive-date = October 22, 2021
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211022193719/https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts121/launch/index.html
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref> After reaching orbit, ''Discovery'' performed post-launch inspections of its TPS and docked with the ISS on July 6.{{r|sts121_mission_accomplished}} The orbiter carried a {{convert|28|ft|m}} remote control orbiter in-flight maintenance cable that could connect the flight deck systems to the avionics system in the mid-deck; it would allow the spacecraft to be landed remotely, to include controlling the [[landing gear]] and deploying the [[Drogue parachute|parachute]].<ref name="sts121_cord_npr">{{cite web
  | last = Kestenbaum
  | first = David
  | title = Emergency Rescue Plans in Place for Astronauts
  | publisher = NPR
  | date = June 29, 2006
| url = https://www.npr.org/2006/06/29/5521668/emergency-rescue-plans-in-place-for-astronauts
  | accessdate = August 21, 2022
| archive-date = August 21, 2022
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220821191123/https://www.npr.org/2006/06/29/5521668/emergency-rescue-plans-in-place-for-astronauts
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref><ref name="sts121_cord">{{cite news
  | last = Malik
  | first = Tariq
  | title = Shuttle to Carry Tools for Repair and Remote-Control Landing
  | work = Space
  | date = June 29, 2006
| url = https://www.space.com/2560-shuttle-carry-tools-repair-remote-control-landing.html
  | accessdate = August 21, 2022
| archive-date = November 22, 2021
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211122160320/https://www.space.com/2560-shuttle-carry-tools-repair-remote-control-landing.html
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref> On July 12 astronauts [[Piers Sellers]] and [[Michael Fossum]] performed an EVA to test the NonOxide Adhesive eXperiment (NOAX), which applied protective sealant to samples of damaged TPS tiles.{{r|olympus|p=70}} ''Discovery'' undocked from the ISS on July 14 and safely landed at 9:14{{spaces}}am on July 17 at KSC.{{r|sts121_mission_accomplished}} Had the crew been stranded in orbit, NASA planned to launch ''Atlantis'' to rescue them from the ISS.<ref name=sts-121_presskit>{{cite web |url=http://mynasa.nasa.gov/pdf/149873main_sts121_press_kit.pdf |title=Space Shuttle Mission STS-121: The Second Step |publisher=NASA |date=May 2006|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060723042544/http://mynasa.nasa.gov/pdf/149873main_sts121_press_kit.pdf |archive-date=July 23, 2006|access-date=November 28, 2022}}</ref><ref name="sts-115">{{cite web
  | last = Dunbar
  | first = Brian
  | title = STS-115
  | publisher = NASA
  | date = April 2, 2008
| url = https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts115/main/index.html
  | accessdate = November 28, 2022
| archive-date = April 3, 2022
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220403205134/https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts115/main/index.html
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref>

=== Program cancellation ===
In January 2004 President Bush announced the [[Vision for Space Exploration]], calling for the Space Shuttle fleet to complete the ISS and be retired by 2010, to be replaced by a newly developed [[Crew Exploration Vehicle]] for travel to the Moon and Mars.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/missions/solarsystem/bush_vision.html|access-date=August 20, 2022|last=Wilson|first=Jim|publisher=NASA|title=President Bush offers new vision for NASA|date=January 14, 2004|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070510062228/http://www.nasa.gov/missions/solarsystem/bush_vision.html|archive-date=May 10, 2007}}</ref> In 2004, NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe canceled a planned servicing of the [[Hubble Space Telescope]] and decided that future missions would all rendezvous with the ISS to ensure the safety of the crew.<ref name="nytimes_okeefe_hubble">{{cite news
  | last = Leary
  | first = Warren E.
  | title = NASA Chief Affirms Stand On Canceling Hubble Mission
  | work = The New York Times
  | date = January 29, 2004
| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/29/us/nasa-chief-affirms-stand-on-canceling-hubble-mission.html
  | accessdate = August 22, 2022
| archive-date = August 22, 2022
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220822144530/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/29/us/nasa-chief-affirms-stand-on-canceling-hubble-mission.html
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref> In 2006, his successor, [[Michael D. Griffin|Michael Griffin]], decided to have one more servicing mission to the telescope, [[STS-125]], which flew in May 2009.<ref name="science_hst_servicing">{{cite web
  | last = Lawler
  | first = Andrew
  | title = NASA to Fix Hubble Telescope
  | publisher = [[Science (journal)|Science]]
  | date = October 31, 2006
| url = https://www.science.org/content/article/nasa-fix-hubble-telescope
  | accessdate = August 22, 2022
| archive-date = December 24, 2021
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211224090616/https://www.science.org/content/article/nasa-fix-hubble-telescope
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref><ref name="sts-125">{{cite web
  | last = Kauderer
  | first = Amiko
  | title = STS-125 Mission Information
  | publisher = NASA
  | date = September 30, 2009
| url = https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts125/main/index.html
  | accessdate = August 22, 2022
| archive-date = June 15, 2009
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090615053932/https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts125/main/index.html
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref> The [[Space Shuttle retirement|retirement of the Space Shuttle]] was delayed until 2011,<ref name="wired_retirement">{{cite magazine
  | last = Grossman
  | first = Lisa
  | title = NASA Pushes Back End of Shuttle Era to 2011
  | magazine = Wired
  | date = July 1, 2010
| url = https://www.wired.com/2010/07/final-shuttles-delayed/
  | accessdate = August 22, 2022 }}</ref><ref name="sts-135">{{cite news
  | last = Howell
  | first = Elizabeth
  | title = The last voyage of NASA's space shuttle: Looking back at Atlantis' final mission 10 years later
  | work = Space
  | date = July 9, 2021
| url = https://www.space.com/space-shuttle-final-mission-atlantis-10-years
  | accessdate = August 22, 2022
| archive-date = April 9, 2022
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220409112228/https://www.space.com/space-shuttle-final-mission-atlantis-10-years
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref> after which no further crewed spacecraft were launched from the United States until 2020 when [[SpaceX]]'s [[Crew Dragon Demo-2]] mission successfully carried NASA astronauts [[Doug Hurley]] and [[Robert Behnken]] to the ISS.<ref>{{Cite news|title=NASA And SpaceX Launch First Astronauts To Orbit From U.S. Since 2011|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/05/30/864514995/spacex-and-nasa-try-once-more-to-launch-astronauts|access-date=August 21, 2022|date=May 30, 2020|last1=Brumfiel|first1=Geoff|last2=Neuman|first2=Scott|work=NPR|language=en|archive-date=June 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605200850/https://www.npr.org/2020/05/30/864514995/spacex-and-nasa-try-once-more-to-launch-astronauts|url-status=live}}</ref>