Thermal imaging improves safety in space

The US Space Agency initially opted in favour of infrared technology to inspect possible tile damage on the heat shields of its space shuttles following the 2003 Columbia space shuttle catastrophe.

Following a thorough evaluation of all infrared cameras on the market, the NASA engineers chose a ThermaCAM S65 camera developed by FLIR Systems to undertake its investigative research.

The attached applications report describes how NASA Langley Research Center and FLIR Systems worked together to develop an adapted version of the FLIR infrared camera that was incorporated into Discovery and Atlantis space shuttle missions as a contingency to aid visual inspection.

Having understood the benefits of thermal imaging - NASA Langley elected to use the adapted FLIR infrared camera system on the International Space station for possible leak detection and machinery inspection applications.

For a copy of the applications report please click on the link above.