NASA Mulls Duct-Tape Fix for Space Shuttle

[Rhino]

NASA Mulls Duct-Tape Fix for Space Shuttle Problems

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Even in space, a little duct tape may work wonders.

Astronaut Piers Sellers suggested using some multipurpose sticky material to fix a safety-jet backpack used during spacewalks after it almost came loose from him while he repaired the international space station.

"Right now, is there some kind of tape fix that you guys could think about that would be helpful?" Sellers asked Mission Control Tuesday morning, a day after the propulsive backpack started to come loose during his spacewalk with astronaut Mike Fossum.

Fossum had to tether the device to Sellers to keep it from flying away.

The jet backpack, nicknamed SAFER, is worn by every astronaut during a spacewalk. It allows an astronaut to propel himself or herself to safety in an emergency, for instance if a tether or foot restraint holding the astronaut in place breaks.

The two connecting latches of Sellers' backpack attachment, designed to be used if an astronaut floats free, loosened at different times, but he was never in danger of losing it, NASA officials said..........http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,202899,00.html

[DeclinetoState]

A little chewing gum and baling wire might come in handy, too, I suppose?

[Rhino]

It makes sense, when you are in space, to use the force. Duct tape has a light side, a dark side and it binds the universe together.

[jayson]

My MacGuyver sense just kicked on. Where is he when you need him? Probably defusing some bomb with a toothpick, some bleach and a shoehorn.

[Lubbock]

If it don't move and should, WD-40 it. It it moves and shouldn't, duct tape it.

[True Grace]

Duct tape can fix anything!

[gnome]

Except ducts, I'm told...

One side benefit of the space program is the continual display of on-the-spot ingenuity it takes to even survive, let alone accomplish the mission.

[Rink]

For all the billions of dollars poured into that Space Agency they cant seem to keep their ageing fleet up to speed and in decent working shape.

[Rhino]

For all the billions of dollars poured into that Space Agency they cant seem to keep their ageing fleet up to speed and in decent working shape.
Sure they can. That's what the duct tape is for. And after that roll's gone, there still $2,999,993.69 left over for other stuff.

[Rink]

Yea yea riiiiight, all them duct tapes just sittin in a lil drawer in that fine shuttle?

[Rhino]

Well, there's also the velcro and M&Ms.

[Rink]

Well, there's also the velcro and M&Ms.

M&M's? NOT On MY watch NO!

All their M&M's are MINE, they can go get their own M&M's

(Recovers from the chocoholic attack and shudders, cut that out Rhino!!!)

[The_Sonarman]

Yea yea riiiiight, all them duct tapes just sittin in a lil drawer in that fine shuttle?

Strangely enough, I heard long ago Duct Tape is considered "mission critical", and that a roll of duct tape is packed on all Shuttle flights. "Mission Critical" in that they literally do not fly without a roll.

Fine "fix" if one gets hit and punctured by a small bit of rock.... keep the breathing mixture inside instead of venting to space and killing the crew.

That's just the "deadly serious" use for duct tape. Just as on earth, there are dozens more uses it can be put to.