Comments on: The "Best Engineering Tool" in Space: Duct Tape http://www.universetoday.com/2008/04/21/the-best-engineering-tool-in-space-duct-tape/ Space and astronomy news Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:56:59 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: hydraulic jacks http://www.universetoday.com/2008/04/21/the-best-engineering-tool-in-space-duct-tape/comment-page-1/#comment-58416 hydraulic jacks Sat, 14 Mar 2009 12:46:40 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=13794#comment-58416 It's the first time I comment here and I must say you provide us genuine, and quality information for other bloggers! Great job. p.s. You have a very good template for your blog. Where have you got it from? It's the first time I comment here and I must say you provide us genuine, and quality information for other bloggers! Great job.
p.s. You have a very good template for your blog. Where have you got it from?

]]> By: J. P. Piesco http://www.universetoday.com/2008/04/21/the-best-engineering-tool-in-space-duct-tape/comment-page-1/#comment-34098 J. P. Piesco Fri, 26 Sep 2008 14:41:21 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=13794#comment-34098 Duct tape has proven to be indespensible in the history of space travel. All of the parts held together by the duct tape were created in clean room envirnoments. www.rapwall.com has published a clean room engineering tool that estimates HEPA filtration needs to create clean room classifications. Check it out. Cool Stuff. Lets hope the astronauts doen't have to rig to many things in the future with Duct tape! Duct tape has proven to be indespensible in the history of space travel. All of the parts held together by the duct tape were created in clean room envirnoments. http://www.rapwall.com has published a clean room engineering tool that estimates HEPA filtration needs to create clean room classifications. Check it out. Cool Stuff. Lets hope the astronauts doen't have to rig to many things in the future with Duct tape!

]]> By: Ravens_Cry http://www.universetoday.com/2008/04/21/the-best-engineering-tool-in-space-duct-tape/comment-page-1/#comment-22411 Ravens_Cry Sun, 01 Jun 2008 03:57:36 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=13794#comment-22411 If I remember correctly, duct tape was also used in the CO2 filter rig on Apollo 13, saving the astronauts lives. I am suprised you didn't mention this. If I remember correctly, duct tape was also used in the CO2 filter rig on Apollo 13, saving the astronauts lives. I am suprised you didn't mention this.

]]> By: alphonso richardson http://www.universetoday.com/2008/04/21/the-best-engineering-tool-in-space-duct-tape/comment-page-1/#comment-18978 alphonso richardson Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:11:11 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=13794#comment-18978 Isn't DUCK tape the major brand name; duct is as close to it without getting into trouble. Besides, mty end of world, it's called gaffer tape! Isn't DUCK tape the major brand name; duct is as close to it without getting into trouble.
Besides, mty end of world, it's called gaffer tape!

]]> By: Keith Atkin http://www.universetoday.com/2008/04/21/the-best-engineering-tool-in-space-duct-tape/comment-page-1/#comment-18859 Keith Atkin Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:27:18 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=13794#comment-18859 Could I point out that it's DUCK tape, not duct tape. This is a very common mistake. But, whatever we call it, it sure is indispensible! Could I point out that it's DUCK tape, not duct tape. This is a very common mistake. But, whatever we call it, it sure is indispensible!

]]> By: IMSA12 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/04/21/the-best-engineering-tool-in-space-duct-tape/comment-page-1/#comment-18793 IMSA12 Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:25:37 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=13794#comment-18793 Too bad Randy is so busy that he can't appreciate a well presented story of duct tape and its ongoing role in manned space exploration. I hope you did'nt waste too much of his valuable time. I recall a story (perhaps unfounded) that back in the Gemini era, NASA had spent a lot of money to develop a tape that would withstand the extreme rigors of use in an outer space environment. The tape they engineered did not work; off-the-shelf duct tape did. Too bad Randy is so busy that he can't appreciate a well presented story of duct tape and its ongoing role in manned space exploration. I hope you did'nt waste too much of his valuable time.

I recall a story (perhaps unfounded) that back in the Gemini era, NASA had spent a lot of money to develop a tape that would withstand the extreme rigors of use in an outer space environment. The tape they engineered did not work; off-the-shelf duct tape did.

]]> By: Dennis http://www.universetoday.com/2008/04/21/the-best-engineering-tool-in-space-duct-tape/comment-page-1/#comment-18792 Dennis Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:12:35 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=13794#comment-18792 Did anyone notice why there is not one inch of tire track in the supposedly moon dust while there are foot prints all around? I'm sure the two astronauts didn't pick up the rover and set it down on some untrodden dirt just to take this picture! Did anyone notice why there is not one inch of tire track in the supposedly moon dust while there are foot prints all around? I'm sure the two astronauts didn't pick up the rover and set it down on some untrodden dirt just to take this picture!

]]> By: Bob http://www.universetoday.com/2008/04/21/the-best-engineering-tool-in-space-duct-tape/comment-page-1/#comment-18782 Bob Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:42:22 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=13794#comment-18782 So I can hear it now. A future alien civilization will enter our planetary flock while amateur and professional astronomers all verify its entry and its increasing angular area. Excitement runs through the entire human race as we find out we are not alone. The aliens circle out planet and send down their first telecommunications: "We are out of duck tape and velcro. Could you guys spare a few rolls?" Please ship them up to the ISS. We'll pick them up there." So they do and then they leave. So I can hear it now.

A future alien civilization will enter our planetary flock while amateur and professional astronomers all verify its entry and its increasing angular area. Excitement runs through the entire human race as we find out we are not alone.

The aliens circle out planet and send down their first telecommunications: "We are out of duck tape and velcro. Could you guys spare a few rolls?" Please ship them up to the ISS. We'll pick them up there."

So they do and then they leave.

]]> By: Ian O'Neill http://www.universetoday.com/2008/04/21/the-best-engineering-tool-in-space-duct-tape/comment-page-1/#comment-18763 Ian O'Neill Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:25:51 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=13794#comment-18763 Oh, I'm sorry Randy that you didn't appreciate my article. It seems that everyone else thought it was OK; I thought it at least made for an interesting story. Oh well, can't please everyone :| Oh, I'm sorry Randy that you didn't appreciate my article. It seems that everyone else thought it was OK; I thought it at least made for an interesting story.

Oh well, can't please everyone :|

]]> By: Randy http://www.universetoday.com/2008/04/21/the-best-engineering-tool-in-space-duct-tape/comment-page-1/#comment-18760 Randy Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:13:31 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=13794#comment-18760 Horrilbe article. It took four paragraphs to get to why duct tape was needed. Horrilbe article. It took four paragraphs to get to why duct tape was needed.

]]> By: NoAstronomer http://www.universetoday.com/2008/04/21/the-best-engineering-tool-in-space-duct-tape/comment-page-1/#comment-18748 NoAstronomer Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:41:21 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=13794#comment-18748 If you watch NASA TV during shuttle flights you'll often see the astronauts using duct tape to hold stuff down. I think they keep a few rolls stowed above the windows looking into the cargo bay. If you watch NASA TV during shuttle flights you'll often see the astronauts using duct tape to hold stuff down. I think they keep a few rolls stowed above the windows looking into the cargo bay.

]]> By: Deja View http://www.universetoday.com/2008/04/21/the-best-engineering-tool-in-space-duct-tape/comment-page-1/#comment-18732 Deja View Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:39:46 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=13794#comment-18732 Actually, duct tape is really The Force. It has a dark side and a light side, and it holds the Universe together. Actually, duct tape is really The Force. It has a dark side and a light side, and it holds the Universe together.

]]> By: grndrush http://www.universetoday.com/2008/04/21/the-best-engineering-tool-in-space-duct-tape/comment-page-1/#comment-18723 grndrush Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:23:52 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=13794#comment-18723 Aviators have long known that duct tape holds the world together! Skydivers call it "120-MPH tape", and it's all over most jumpships - not to hold the plane together, but to cover any parts of the plane a jumper might hangup their jumpsuit, equipment, etc. on. And I've seen it used, and used it. in a 1000 other ways. Don't leave home without it... Aviators have long known that duct tape holds the world together! Skydivers call it "120-MPH tape", and it's all over most jumpships – not to hold the plane together, but to cover any parts of the plane a jumper might hangup their jumpsuit, equipment, etc. on. And I've seen it used, and used it. in a 1000 other ways. Don't leave home without it…

]]> By: Astrofiend (Syd, Aust) http://www.universetoday.com/2008/04/21/the-best-engineering-tool-in-space-duct-tape/comment-page-1/#comment-18714 Astrofiend (Syd, Aust) Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:32:06 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=13794#comment-18714 As someone who works in science, we often joke that most of our experiments are 'held together with string and sticky-tape'. Seems the space program is no different! As someone who works in science, we often joke that most of our experiments are 'held together with string and sticky-tape'.

Seems the space program is no different!

]]> By: Silver Thread http://www.universetoday.com/2008/04/21/the-best-engineering-tool-in-space-duct-tape/comment-page-1/#comment-18706 Silver Thread Tue, 22 Apr 2008 02:29:52 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=13794#comment-18706 The handy man's secret weapon\. The handy man's secret weapon\.

]]> By: Frank http://www.universetoday.com/2008/04/21/the-best-engineering-tool-in-space-duct-tape/comment-page-1/#comment-18704 Frank Tue, 22 Apr 2008 02:10:21 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=13794#comment-18704 Would a metalized, mylar-like coverall worn over the moon suit provide a solution to the dust problem? The smooth, reflective surface would minimize the surface area that dust could stick to, unlike the warp and weft of the moon suit. The reflective surface would reduce, if not eliminate, the absorption of solar electromagnetic radiation. Once the astronauts are in the airlock, an electrical cable could be attached to the coverall. As the air pressure comes back up a low voltage, alternating polarity could be shifted back and forth to repel the statically charged dust. An air shower, like those used by technicians prior to entering a clean room area could stir the dust and keep it airborne as a suction fan pulls the suspended dust towards an hepa-filter. A minute or so of this and the astronauts and the airlock could be dust-free. Would a metalized, mylar-like coverall worn over the moon suit provide a solution to the dust problem? The smooth, reflective surface would minimize the surface area that dust could stick to, unlike the warp and weft of the moon suit. The reflective surface would reduce, if not eliminate, the absorption of solar electromagnetic radiation.

Once the astronauts are in the airlock, an electrical cable could be attached to the coverall. As the air pressure comes back up a low voltage, alternating polarity could be shifted back and forth to repel the statically charged dust. An air shower, like those used by technicians prior to entering a clean room area could stir the dust and keep it airborne as a suction fan pulls the suspended dust towards an hepa-filter. A minute or so of this and the astronauts and the airlock could be dust-free.

]]> By: Ian O'Neill http://www.universetoday.com/2008/04/21/the-best-engineering-tool-in-space-duct-tape/comment-page-1/#comment-18700 Ian O'Neill Tue, 22 Apr 2008 01:00:14 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=13794#comment-18700 To Duae: You're absolutely right, I should have mentioned Apollo 13 too. I'm packing a roll of tape now, I'm never leaving home without it :-) Cheers, Ian To Duae:

You're absolutely right, I should have mentioned Apollo 13 too.

I'm packing a roll of tape now, I'm never leaving home without it :-)

Cheers, Ian

]]> By: Duae Quartunciae http://www.universetoday.com/2008/04/21/the-best-engineering-tool-in-space-duct-tape/comment-page-1/#comment-18698 Duae Quartunciae Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:34:29 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=13794#comment-18698 Duct tape also had a crucial role in the Apollo 13 drama, as an essential part of the jury rigged carbon dioxide scrubber. Duct tape is like the force. It has a light side, and it has a dark side, and it holds the universe together. Duct tape also had a crucial role in the Apollo 13 drama, as an essential part of the jury rigged carbon dioxide scrubber.

Duct tape is like the force. It has a light side, and it has a dark side, and it holds the universe together.

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