NASA | SLIC: The Unsung Hero of Hubble SM4

Published 6 months ago

Want more? Subscribe to NASA on iTunes! http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=283424434 Or get tweeted by NASA: http://twitter.com/NASAGoddard The composite Super Lightweight Interchangeable Carrier (SLIC) is a new... more

Want more? Subscribe to NASA on iTunes! http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=283424434 Or get tweeted by NASA: http://twitter.com/NASAGoddard The composite Super Lightweight Interchangeable Carrier (SLIC) is a new breed of equipment carrier that will allow the Space Shuttle to transport a full complement of scientific instruments and other components to Hubble. Made of carbon fiber with a cyanate ester resin and a titanium metal matrix composite, SLIC is the first all-composite carrier to fly on the shuttle. This flat, reusable pallet looks very different from the carriers flown on previous Hubble servicing missions because of its efficient design. This design, plus SLIC’s composite construction, makes it much lighter and stronger than traditional aluminum carriers. About half the weight of its predecessors, SLIC shows a dramatic increase in performance over other Hubble equipment carriers, with nearly double the carrying capability. For more info:... less

Tags: nasa gsfc hd spacecraft hubble space telescope hst sm4 servicing mission atlantis flight support system slic airlock wfc3 batteries cos goddard center testing astronaut engineer aerospace cleanroom