Jerry Goudy background explains to the media the welding used to fix the cracks found in orbiter flow liners.

At the KSC Press Site, Jerry Goudy (background), a technician with United Space Alliance, explains to the media the welding used to fix the cracks found recently in orbiter flow liners. Goudy was responsible for welding the cracks in Atlantis. These liners are inside the space shuttle Main Propulsion System fuel lines to preclude liquid hydrogen and oxygen turbulent flow into the engines during launch and climb to orbit. A welding and polishing process is being implemented that will restore flow-liner integrity to design condition. The technique has called for welds of three very small cracks on Atlantis and two on Endeavour. Additionally, the microscopic rough edges of the liner holes are being smoothed by polishing to reduce the chance of more cracks developing in the future. Atlantis is scheduled to fly on mission STS-112.