Shuttle Endeavour blasts off; debris strikes mulled | The Space Shot

By William Harwood, CNET News, Posted 07/21/09

Link: http://news.cnet.com/8301-19514_3-10287905-239.html

This article focuses on what the Ecliptic Enterprises video cameras, attached to the STS-127 spacecraft, captured in both live and recorded versions about the debris falling from the external tank during the early July 15, 2009 launch period.  The camera was mounted on the side of the external tank and clearly shows foam and/or ice hitting the Orbiter's heat shield surface.  The astronauts will scan the area of suspected impact using the Endeavor's robot arm with a camera attached to the end prior to docking to the International Space Station.  This "situational awareness" capability has transformed the ability to track performance and assess status of space missions and has become standard procedure for support of safe and efficient operations.  The application of these commercial video tools for monitoring the ISS complex and future commercial cargo and crew transport operations will provide major benefits to both NASA and Eclliptic.  This is an ongoing commercial space success story.