Let's examine the "gap" in the white line that Mr. W thinks represents RCC damage. First of all, what exactly is the white line? Well, quite simply, it sunlight illuminating the leading edge of the wing from below. Pictured below is a reduced resolution version of the original NASA STS-107 photo. I have added a yellow rectangle to show the area that Mr. W has been examining. In this photo, the orbiter's upper surfaces are illuminated by earthshine while the underside of the orbiter is illuminated by direct sunlight. Note that the right wing leading edge (picture left) sees more sunlight than the left wing leading edge (picture right) because of the relative angles of each leading edge to the sun. The white line on the left wing leading edge is too thin to be readily seen in this reduced resolution version of the STS-107 image.
OK, now that we've established what the white line is, what the heck is causing the "gap"? Mr. W claims that the gap in the white line represents RCC damage. In truth, however, such damage would not cause a gap in the white line. If the RCC were deformed in that area, it would displace the white line locally, not eliminate it. So what is the gap? Well, quite simply, the gap is merely light that is being blocked by a latch. It is as simple as that. Read on.
Previous