Engineers on the ground
at NASA use Geomagic
Studio DSSP software to
process 3D scan data, in
real-time, collected from
the shuttle while in flight
to detect and assess any
damage to the craft’s
thermal protection tiles.
Simon Simmons reports
automation, Geomagic Studio requires
very little training. A logical workflow
enables users to maintain proficiency
even if they do not work with the
software on a daily basis.”
The 3D digital surface model created
in Geomagic Studio is use by NASA’s
engineers to assess the level of damage
to the tiles. If the digital model indicates
a safety threat, engineers create a
numerical control (NC) machine tool-
path in order to physically replicate the
damage on an array of test tiles. The
reproductions of the damaged tiles are
then tested in NASA’s ArcJet facility
to determine whether or not they can
withstand the heat and stress of re-entry.
If damage is considered too
extensive for safe re-entry,
the situation could call for
a spacewalk by astronauts
to make the repair. In this
case, the test tiles would
be used to develop the
step-by-step repair
process. Fortunately,
in-flight repair has
not been necessary
in Discovery
flights to date,
as analysis of
scan data showed
damage was not
severe enough to
put the orbiter at risk during re-entry. ❙
www.geomagic.com
Shuttle launch : Major steps have been taken
to make space travel safer
AEROSPACEMANUFACTURING 39
AM_jul07_p38,39_software.indd 39 28/6/07 15:19:19
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