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  Space Shuttles - Space Station
  Yellow components on payload bay doors?

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Author Topic:   Yellow components on payload bay doors?
RichieB16
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Posts: 552
From: Oregon
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 08-15-2007 11:19 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for RichieB16   Click Here to Email RichieB16     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
In this photo, there are yellow components attached to the shuttle payload bay doors. I always assumed they had to do with the an attachment for the crane that attaches the shuttle to the external tank but I didn't know for sure. I haven't seen them on pictures since the 1980s shuttle era.

So, what are they?

Ben
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Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000

posted 08-15-2007 11:24 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ben   Click Here to Email Ben     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
They are basically strongbacks used for opening and closing the payload bay doors while on the ground, since they are delicate and can't support themselves under their own weight.

These days you usually just see the little tabs for attachment.

OV-105
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Posts: 816
From: Ridgecrest, CA
Registered: Sep 2000

posted 08-15-2007 11:26 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for OV-105   Click Here to Email OV-105     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
They are for opening the payload bay doors on the ground. The doors cannot support themselves in 1G and the yellow parts are part of the system to support them.

RichieB16
Member

Posts: 552
From: Oregon
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 08-16-2007 09:01 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for RichieB16   Click Here to Email RichieB16     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
OK, that makes a lot of sense. Thanks!!!

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