TWI Technology in NASA Image Archive

TWI Technology in NASA Image Archive

Thermal Wave Imaging technology is widely used by NASA, with systems at centers including Kennedy (KSC), Langley (LaRC), Marshall (MSFC), Goddard (GRC), Glenn (GRC), Michoud (MAF) and Johnson (JSC). TWI worked closely with NASA on the Return to Flight program after the 2003 accident that destroyed the Space Shuttle Columbia. After an extensive evaluation of NDE technologies, NASA selected TWI flash thermography equipment to inspect the Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) leading edge of the shuttle wing. The TWI staff worked closely with NASA to address numerous challenges presented by the wing size and geometry and the complexity of the RCC material. If you visit the NASA Image Archive and search under thermography, you’ll notice TWI equipment in most of the images. Here are a few of our favorites.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside Orbiter Processing Facility 2 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, a United Space Alliance technician inspects the reinforced carbon-carbon, or RCC, panels on Endeavour’s wing leading edge using thermography to detect structural abnormalities. Endeavour will deliver a multi-purpose logistics module to the International Space Station on its STS-126 mission. Launch is targeted for Nov. 10. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller