Posts: 21
From: Atlanta, GA, USA
Registered: Jul 2021

Posts: 53236
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 09-29-2024 10:33 AM               

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My understanding, and it could be wrong, is that blue Velcro was permanent and yellow Velcro was crew member choice, such that the latter was areas where astronauts on the crew identified the need for additional attach points based on their own personal preferences.

That said, I don't think flown status can be determined by the Velcro alone.

Posts: 21
From: Atlanta, GA, USA
Registered: Jul 2021

posted 09-29-2024 04:30 PM               

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Thanks Robert... was that in your collection here that I read about the blue velcro and the yellow crew requested velcro? It said that the blue velcro pieces were prepared and added by technicians while inside the shuttle on the flight deck.

There is nothing to show these are flown but if the blue velcro is added by technicians for mission pre-flight preparations, is it wrong to assume these are flown because that's the only way the blue velcro would generally be there?

Also, I believe this were permanently attached on the flight deck and there are signs of velcro being removed, which the yellow pieces were removed after each mission. I have six of these by the way, some for commander side, some for pilot side.

I guess assuming anything about any item's flown status is not wise, but thorough detective work to find out is always good.

Posts: 1939
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2010

Posts: 949
From: Danville, Ohio
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 09-30-2024 11:28 AM               

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I believe these "hard" lockers were replaced by dark blue "soft" pouches, at least in some cases. These could easily be flown, or they could be from a trainer. Given that in some areas the scratches appear to be painted over, I would lean toward flown (since in a trainer the cosmetic appearance would not be as much of a concern).

And I agree with Robert's comments regarding the blue/yellow Velcro. Other than these clues I don't see any way of being sure.

Posts: 21
From: Atlanta, GA, USA
Registered: Jul 2021

posted 09-30-2024 05:20 PM               

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The commander's and pilot's versions have different geometry on their mounting rails for specific positions in the upper flight deck, so I'm inclined to think these were permanently installed in the orbiter. That's what I've read in one of the the shuttle operations manuals. The specialist seats had the ones that were soft pouches for sure.

My new question now is would they still setup mount points in a crew 1G mockup the same as zero gravity environment, at least when it comes to incidentals like maps, checklists, grease pens, etc? There would be no need for all that velcro, and I thought blue velcro was reserved and only used in orbital flight?

On review: I was totally wrong, you were right. I saw photos of the soft blue bags that replaced the ones I have. I guess the metal lockers were used on the early missions. I did see a photo of one with the same velcro placement as the one in the post here, but who knows. I tried to check pics of the mockup or trainer shuttles, no luck.