Tile Gap Filler, Shuttle, STS-114

Strips of ceramic insulation fabric like this were inserted between thermal protection tiles on the Space Shuttle as a barrier to heat and airflow. This particular tile gap filler was removed from the underside of the orbiter Discovery in space when it became dislodged during the STS-114 mission in 2005. Concerned that the protruding strip of fabric might cause problems during reentry, NASA decided to send an astronaut outside to remove this gap filler and another one. In the first-ever spacewalk underneath the vehicle and out of sight from the Shuttle crew, astronaut Steve Robinson, mounted on the International Space Station's robotic arm, gently removed both strips.After post-flight analysis NASA transferred this one to the Museum.