PPE: Respirator Usage and Safety. A respirator is a personal protective device that is worn on the face. It covers the nose and mouth and is specifically designed to provide respiratory protection by forming a tight seal against the wearerâs skin. Respirators vary in their level of protection and efficiency to filter out airborne particles.
In 2003, Columbia disintegrated over Texas while returning from a 16-day trip to space. Later analysis found that a small bit of foam insulation that broke off an external fuel tank during launch had torn a hole in the orbiter's wing and led to the disaster. Gene Grush recounts the events from NASA's perspective.
1. The Shuttle killed more people than any other space vehicle in history. The explosion of the Challenger killed seven people, six astronauts and one Teacher in Space participant, during the launch of its 10 th mission in 1986. The explosion of the Columbia killed seven more during re-entry of its 28 th mission in 2003. Let me spell it out for you: out of five ShuttlesâColumbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavorâtwo met a disastrous and fiery fate. Thatâs a 40% vehicular failure rate (updated) and a flight failure rate of 1.5%.