Orbiter Boom Sensor System

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/orbiter-boom-sensor-system

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How long is Orbiter Boom Sensor System?Approximately 50 feet (15 meters)
2. What is the primary sensor suite?High-resolution digital camera and a laser-based measurement system
3. Why did NASA build the OBSS?After the Columbia disaster, NASA needed a better way to check the shuttle’s heat‑shield tiles for damage before it re‑entered the Earth’s atmosphere.
4. How does the OBSS help astronauts?Astronauts control the boom from the shuttle’s cockpit, taking detailed pictures and laser measurements to spot cracks or missing tiles.

Thermal Protection System (TPS): The collection of materials and components designed to protect a spacecraft from the extreme heat generated during atmospheric re-entry.
Mission Assurance: The process of ensuring that all aspects of a space mission are designed, built, tested, and operated to minimize risks and achieve mission objectives.