Space Shuttle Columbia Accident
Investigation Report by
Matt Melis
NASA Aerospace Engineer
Friday, February 20,2004
2:00 p.m.
Mead Auditorium - West Science 2701
NASA engineer, Matt Melis, will present an overview of the
seven-month investigation into the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia. As a
member of a team that conducted ballistic impact testing in support of the
investigation, he will highlight specific work in which he was involved - both
for the investigation and the current return to flight efforts. The presentation
will include video clips suggesting how engineers believe the breach occurred in
Columbia's wing leading edge thermal protection system.
Matt Melis is a former student of Northern
Michigan University and works as an Aerospace Engineer in the Ballistic Impact
Research Lab at the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio.
The Math and Computer Science Department will
be hosting a get-together with Mr. Mellis, who will stay and talk informally
with Math and C.S. students following his presentation. If you are attending
his talk from 2-3 p.m., feel free to stay afterward to visit and ask questions
regarding his investigation or perhaps about job opportunities for Math and
C.S. majors in this field or at NASA. If you cannot attend the talk, just
drop by the Mead Auditorium at 3:00 p.m
This presentation is sponsored by the Seaborg Center and the
Mathematics/ Computer Science Department.