NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

ET 101: Media Learn External Tank Basics at Workshop June Malone
Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.
(Phone: 256.544.0034)
News Release: 04-205

Members of the news media recently learned the basics of External Tank manufacturing, thermal protection systems, and changes to improve the tank for future Space Shuttle flights at a workshop hosted by NASA and Lockheed Martin Space Systems. Briefings focused on Return to Flight included the bipod fitting, liquid hydrogen tank/intertank flange area, protuberance airload ramps, liquid oxygen feedline bellows, and non-destructive evaluation of the thermal protection system.






+ External Tank Photo Gallery
+ Animation
+ External Tank Overview (PDF, 1.0 MB)
+ ET-120 Retrofit Status (PDF, 1.5 MB)
+ Return to Flight Status (PDF, 5.1 MB)