NASA's FOIA information received:
* This FOIA info was requested on February 10, 2003 and received June 5, 2003.
See our 'FOIA request' email: click here
This is the email response sent to me, Jason Leigh, with an entirety of 24 pages, being sent as an 'attachment' in MS Word format. Hundreds of repeated 'deleted' items contained in this report noted below, have been omitted to save otherwise, wasted space, as those parts revealed nothing but code numbers with no discernable information. It seems that there ARE, indeed; certain documents, which cannot be obtained via the FOIA. Read the contents in disbelief. Final comments by the manager are at the bottom:
June 5, 2003
Mr. Jason Leigh
P.O. Box 377
Cleburne, TX 76033
Dear Mr. Leigh,
This responds to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request that was received in the Marshall Space Flight Center FOIA office on February 28, 2003. For our records, we have denominated your request as FOIA #2003-115.
Your request is one of dozens that we have received about the Shuttle Program in the immediate aftermath of the Columbia tragedy. We, along with all of the NASA Centers and Headquarters, are working diligently to place as much releasable data in the public domain as possible.
You have requested any and all information on TPS, polymeric isocyanate, used on the external tank of the space shuttle missions. In addition, you requested documents concerning the dangers of the polymeric isocyanate when air borne over populated areas.
To the extent that your request is categorical as to a request for specific documents, we have identified the most relevant responsive documents from the Marshall Space Flight Center’s system of records.
MSFC has determined that documents 1. through 35. contain export controlled data; therefore, these documents are exempt from release to the public:
19. Engineering Material Specification, Martin Marietta Michoud Operations, L742A, 3/18/77 through 11/28/84—exempt in its entirety
20. Engineering Process Specification, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company Michoud Operations, STP 1532A, 10/01/94 through 12/15/95—exempt in its entirety
21. Engineering Process Specification, Martin Marietta Manned Space Systems, STP 1532, 10/01/94—exempt in its entirety
22. Engineering Process Specification, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company Michoud Operations, STP 1532B, 10/01/94 through 5/08/97—exempt in its entirety
23. Manned Space Systems, STP 1532C, 10/01/94 through 01/28/99—exempt in its entirety
24. Engineering Material Specification Amendment, Martin Marietta Manned Space Systems, Amendment Ltr C, 1/7/92—exempt in its entirety
25. Engineering Material Specification Amendment, Martin Marietta Manned Space Systems, Amendment Ltr B, 06/22/90—exempt in its entirety
26. Engineering Material Specification Amendment, Martin Marietta Manned Space Systems, Amendment Ltr A, 3/28/89—exempt in its entirety
27. Engineering Material Specification, Martin Marietta Manned Space Systems, STM M476, 10/12/77—exempt in its entirety
28. Engineering Material Specification Amendment, Martin Marietta Manned Space Systems, Amendment Ltr C, 10/17/90—exempt in its entirety
29. Engineering Material Specification, Martin Marietta Manned Space Systems, STM M723, 1/31/89—exempt in its entirety
30. Engineering Material Specification, Martin Marietta Manned Space Systems, SMT K506, 72 Feb 08—exempt in its entirety
31. Engineering Material Specification, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company Michoud Operations, STM L1A1-5, 09/23/94 through 04/15/94—exempt in its entirety
32. Engineering Material Specification, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company Michoud Operations, STM L1A1-4, 09/23/94 through 12/12/97—exempt in its entirety
33. Engineering Material Specification, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company Michoud Operations, STM L1A1-3, 09/23/94 through 01/05/96—exempt in its entirety
34. Engineering Material Specification, Martin Marietta Manned Space Systems, STM L1A1-2, 09/23/94 through 09/05/95—exempt in its entirety
35. Engineering Material Specification, Martin Marietta Manned Space Systems, STM L1A1-1, 09/23/94 through 02/20/95—exempt in its entirety
36. “Simulated Multiple Loads Test of NCFI 24-124 Foam Applied to ET Configured Intertank Thrust Panels in Supersonic Wind Tunnel A at Arnold Engineering Development Center,” Final Technical Report 826-2000-47, written by P.A. Kopfinger of Lockheed Martin Michoud Space Systems on July 22, 1999. Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 552(b)(3) and the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. § 2751 et seq.) and the Export Administration Act of 1985 (50 U.S.C. App. 2401 et seq.) the following sections have been deleted from this document:
a. Section 5.0 Test Article Fabrication
b. Figure 8: 0º Calibration Plate Layout Installation
c. Figure 9: 90º Calibration Plate Layout Installation
d. Figure 10: 0º Calibration Plate Installation
e. Figure 11: 90º Calibration Plate Installation Layout
f. Figure 12: CTS Shock Generator
g. Figure 13: CTS Shock Generator
h. Figure 14: CTS Shock Generator
i. Figure 23: 0º Plug Pull Locations
j. Figure 24: 90º Plug Pull Locations
URL: http://www.msfc.nasa.gov/FOIA/docs/wind_tunnel.pdf
37. Memorandum from MP51/Dr. Goldberg to MP31/Mr. Counts, dated January 13, 2000, concerning “Closure of the External Tank (ET) Foam Anomaly Investigation Team and Recommendation for closure of the In-Flight Anomaly (IFA)”— URL: http://www.msfc.nasa.gov/FOIA/docs/goldberg%20memo.pdf
38. MSFC Problem Reporting and Corrective Action (PRACA) System. MSFC Problem Status Report: MSFC PRACA: 2003-02-12 12:00
39. MSFC PRACA Record A00001
40. MSFC PRACA Record A00002
41. MSFC PRACA Record A00003
42. MSFC PRACA Record A00004
43. MSFC PRACA Record A00005
44. MSFC PRACA Record A00006
45. MSFC PRACA Record A00007
46. MSFC PRACA Record A00008
47. MSFC PRACA Record A00009
48. MSFC PRACA Record A00010
49. MSFC PRACA Record A00011
50. MSFC PRACA Record A00012
* From numbers 51 MSFC PRACA Record A00013 through 442 MSFC PRACA Record A17828, have been omitted to save space, as these hundreds of listings are all listed as the above 50 items are; exactly, with in-sync numbering, and no other information is provided. JL
The email continues here:
These documents can be found at URL: http://www.nasa.gov/columbia/foia/index.html under PRACA files.
The following Flight Readiness Statements for the ET Project Office (documents 443. through 491.) have been reviewed and determined that portions of the data are export controlled. Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 552(b)(3) and the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. § 2751 et seq.) and the Export Administration Act of 1985 (50 U.S.C. App. 2401 et seq.) sections (as noted) have been deleted from these documents:
a. Deleted LO2 Loading Changes (RCN MS11648A), page 18, in its entirety
b. Deleted ET Nose Cone Heated purge (RCN KS11646), page A3, in its entirety
c. Deleted Station 1973 LH2 Tank Frame Webs, page B8, in its entirety
444. STS-54 and STS-55 Level III FRR Readiness Statement
a. Deleted ET-51 PR/MRBs—Summary, page C7, in its entirety
b. Deleted ET-51 PR/MRBs—Summary, page C8, in its entirety
c. Deleted ET-56 SMRB-LH2 Barrel Contour Deviation (T100315), page D8, in its entirety
445. STS-56 and STS-57 Level III FRR Readiness Statement
a. Deleted Incorrect Machine Cut on ET/SRB Fitting, page 25, in its entirety
446. STS-60/ET-61 ET Project Flight Readiness Statement
a. Deleted Increase Clearance for GUCP Installation (B01875), page 31, in its entirety
b. Deleted Increase Clearance for GUCP Installation (B01875), page 32, in its entirety
447. STS-61/ET-60 Delta ET Project Flight Readiness Statement
a. Deleted ET-60 Bipod Yoke Fitting ICD Violation, page 29, in its entirety
Appendices
b. Deleted ET-60/STS-61 Software Change, page C15, in its entirety
Appendices
a. Deleted STS-59/ET-63 Software Changes, page B28, in its entirety
449. Flight Readiness Statement STS-63/ET-68 and STS-67/ET-69 Delta External Tank Project Review
450. Flight Readiness Statement STS-65/ET-64 and STS-68/ET-65 Delta Level III Review External Tank Project
a. Deleted LH2 Cable Tray TPS (B01948), page 19, in its entirety
b. Deleted BX-250 Jack Pad Closeout (B01945B), page 20, in its entirety
c. Deleted BS-250 Jack Pad Closeout (B01945B), page 21, in its entirety
Appendices
451. Flight Readiness Statement STS-66/ET-67 Delta Level III Review External Tank Project
Appendices
a. Deleted LH2 Cable Tray TPS (B01948), page D4, in its entirety
452. Flight Readiness Statement STS-70/ET-71 and STS-69/ET-72: External Tank Project Review
a. Deleted Anomalous GH2 V/R Valve Position Indication, page ET-3, in its entirety
b. Deleted Special Topic: ET-71 TPS Damage/Repair: MRBs-LO2 Tank and Cable Tray Foam Acreage, page 12, in its entirety
c. Deleted ET-71 PR/MRBs—Summary: Propulsion, page C6, in its entirety
d. Deleted ET-71 PR/MRBs—Summary: Structures, page C7, in its entirety
e. Deleted Generic Cert for ET Thermal Environments, page D3, in its entirety
f. Deleted Generic Cert for ET Thermal Environments: LH2 Tank Third Hardpoint and LO2 Cable Tray Closeouts, page D4, in its entirety
g. Deleted Generic Cert for ET Thermal Environments: Aft Hardware, page D5, in its entirety
453. Flight Readiness Statement Blocks 12 & 13 and STS-70/ET-71 and STS-71/ET-70: External Tank Project Review
a. Deleted Generic Cert for ET Thermal Environments (B01959), page 17, in its entirety
b. Deleted Generic Cert for ET Thermal Environments (B01959), LH2 Tank Third Hardpoint and LO2 Cable Tray Closeouts, page 18, in its entirety
c. Deleted Generic Cert for ET Thermal Environments (B01959), Aft Hardware, page 19, in its entirety
d. Deleted LO2 Feedline Fabrication at MAF (B01953), page 22, in its entirety
a. Deleted LO2 Feedline Fabrication at MAF (B01953), page D6, in its entirety
a. Deleted ET-73 PR/MRBs—Summary, page C6, in its entirety
a. Deleted ET-79/SRB Pyro Bolt Installation, page C7, in its entirety
b. Deleted ET-79 PR/MRBs—Summary, Thermal, page C9, in its entirety
458. Flight Readiness Statement STS-79/ET-82 & Block 14 (ETs 81-85): External Tank Project Pre-Flight Review
b. Deleted Redesign Aft Crossbeam Channels, page 12, in its entirety
c. Deleted Redesign Aft Crossbeam Channel, B01650X, page 13, in its entirety
d. Deleted LO2 Feedline Fairing TPS Closeout, B01775F, page 20, in its entirety
e. Deleted LO2 Feedline Fairing Foam Closeout, B01775, page 21, in its entirety
459. Flight Readiness Statement STS-80/ET-80: External Tank Project Pre-Flight Review
Appendices
460. Flight Readiness Statement STS-81/ET-83: External Tank Project Pre-Flight Review
a. Deleted Revise Aft Upper ET/SRB Fairing Closeout, B02014, page 7, in its entirety
b. Deleted Revise Aft Upper ET/SRB Fairing Closeout, B02014, page 8, in its entirety
462. Flight Readiness Statement STS-83/ET-84 and STS-84/ET-85: External Tank Project Pre-Flight Review
Appendices
463. Flight Readiness Statement STS-86/ET-88: External Tank Project Pre-Flight Review
a. Deleted Thick/Thin TPS on LH2 Tank Barrel, STS-85/ET-87 TPS Thicknesses, page 17, in its entirety
b. Deleted Thick/Thin TPS on LH2 Tank Barrel, STS-86/ET-88 TPS Thicknesses, page 18, in its entirety
464. Flight Readiness Statement STS-87/ET-89: External Tank Project Pre-Flight Review
466. Flight Readiness Statement STS-89/ET-90: External Tank Project Pre-Flight Review
Space Shuttle External Tank: STS-89/ET-90 Pre-Flight Review, January 5, 1998: Special Topic IFA STS-87-I-001 Intertank Thrust Panel Foam Loss
Appendices
Flight Readiness Statement STS-90/ET-91: Delta Pre-Flight Review
Appendices
STS-91/ET-96 Delta Pre-Flight Review
a. Deleted Sanded Foam on LO2 Tank Ogive, page ET-8, in its entirety
b. Deleted LO2 Tank Ogive Foam, page ET-3, in its entirety
a. Deleted Intertank Thrust Panel Foam Venting, page ET-20, in its entirety
Appendices
471. Flight Readiness Statement STS-95/ET-98: External Tank Project Pre-Flight Review
a. Deleted LH2 Aft Dome Redesign B01982AJ, page ET-15, in its entirety
b. Deleted Revised LH2 Tank Foam Thickness J31178, page ET-36, in its entirety
c. Deleted Barrel Panel Etch Sequence J31192, page ET-38, in its entirety
d. Deleted Barrel Panel Etch Sequence J31192, page ET-39, in its entirety
e. Deleted Barrenl Panel Etch Sequence, page ET-40, in its entirety
f. Deleted Revision of Tank Weld Process from VPPA J31155/J31155A/J31155B, page ET-46, in its entirety
g. Deleted Revision of Tank Weld Process from VPPA J31155/J31155A/J31155B, page ET-47, in its entirety
h. Deleted Circumferential Rib Closeout Foam, page ET-69, in its entirety
i. Deleted Circumferential Rib Closeout Foam, page ET-71, in its entirety
472. Flight Readiness Statement STS-96/ET-100: External Tank Project Pre-Flight Review
a. Deleted Redesign of LO2 Barrel Panels, page ET-17, in its entirety
b. Deleted Circumferential Rib Foam Configuration, page ET-26, in its entirety
c. Deleted Intertank Thrust Panel Foam Reduction FEC KET-0047, page ET-28, in its entirety
d. Deleted Intertank Thrust Panel Foam Venting FEC KET-0049, page ET-44, in its entirety
a. Deleted ET-106 LH2 Tank Post Proof Penetrant Indications SMR 99-002, page ET-22, in its entirety
Appendices
a. Deleted Implementation of One Piece Vertical Strut B02028 Cross Sectional View, page BU ET-2, in its entirety
b. Deleted Implementation of One Piece Vertical Strut Interface Clearance Ranges, page ET-21, in its entirety
a. Deleted Review Action Item Control No. 99-ET/SRB-002, page 02, in its entirety
b. Deleted LWT Intertank Thrust Panel Structural Change B02039, page ET-25, in its entirety
c. Deleted LWT Intertank Thrust Panel Structural Change B02039, page ET-15, in its entirety
Appendices
STS-101/ET-102 Delta Pre-Flight Review
a. Deleted Resize Foam Thickness on LO2 Tank Ogive, page ET-11, in its entirety
480. Flight Readiness Statement STS-104/ET-109: External Tank Project Delta Pre-Flight Review
481. Flight Readiness Statement STS-104/ET-109: External Tank Project Pre-Flight Review
483. Flight Readiness Statement STS-106/ET-103 and STS-92/ET-104: External Tank Project Pre-Flight Review
a. Deleted Minor Changes, page A5, in its entirety
b. Deleted Diagonal Strut Mechanical Testing Background, page E-13, in its entirety
Appendices
485. Flight Readiness Statement STS-107/ET-93: External Tank Project Delta Pre-Flight Review
486. Flight Readiness Statement STS-108/ET-111: External Tank Project Pre-Flight Review
a. Deleted Eliminate Potential LH2 PAL Ramp Interference (B02074), page ET-27, in its entirety
Appendices
a. Deleted LO2 Tank Changes for Higher Ullage Pressures B02035, page ET-12, in its entirety
b. Deleted Minor Changes, page A-4, in its entirety
Appendices
492. TPS Usage Timeline—URL: http://www.msfc.nasa.gov/FOIA/docs/TPS_Usage_Timeline.pdf
493. Existing TPS Foam Applications—URL: http://www.msfc.nasa.gov/FOIA/docs/Existing_TPS_foam_appl.pdf
http://www.msfc.nasa.gov/FOIA/docs/ET-93_TPS_Foam_Appl.pdf
http://www.msfc.nasa.gov/FOIA/docs/TPS_Req.pdf
http://www.msfc.nasa.gov/FOIA/docs/Blowing_Agent_Change.pdf
NASA has determined that the material contained in these documents is subject to the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. § 2751 et seq.) and the Export Administration Act of 1985 (50 U.S.C. App. 2401 et seq.) and the respective implementing regulations, namely, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Subchapter M Parts 120-130) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Subchapter C Parts 730-799). These regulations establish lists or categories of technical data that may not be exported without an approved export license.
Further, foreign corporations are not able to obtain documents under FOIA which are subject to Export Control restrictions and which have not been approved by the State Department for release. 5 U.S.C. § 552(b)(3) states that “matters that are specifically exempt from disclosure by statute (other than section 552b of this title)” should not be disclosed under the FOIA.
Since all requested documents will be posted on the Columbia website, the Agency has no ability to limit who will access and download information from this site. According to Export Control laws and regulations, only U.S. citizens may request and receive “export controlled” information. Therefore, the Agency will not release the information, listed above, that is identified as “export controlled.”
We would point out that, to the extent that these documents are exempt from release pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552 (b)(5) that protects from release any pre-decisional and deliberative “inter-agency or intra-agency memorandums or letters which would not be available by law to a party other than an agency in litigation with the agency,” we have elected to waive this protection. Similarly, we have waived any fees that may be associated with your request. Both of these waivers are in furtherance of NASA’s goal to provide the public with the maximum background information on the Shuttle program.
To further maximize the disclosure of information, the documents that you have requested will be available through the “Columbia Home Page” located on a centralized NASA website at www.nasa.gov/columbia. The URLs for the specific documents responsive to your request have been noted above. It should also be noted that this website will contain additional data beyond that which you requested.
You are advised that you may appeal this initial determination to the NASA Administrator. Your appeal must (1) be addressed to the Administrator, NASA, Washington, D.C. 20546; (2) be identified clearly on the envelope and in the letter as an “Appeal under the Freedom of Information Act”, (3) include a copy of the request for the agency record and a copy of the adverse initial determination; (4) state, to the extent possible, the reasons why you believe the initial determination should be reversed; and (5) be sent to the Administrator within 30 calendar days of the date of the receipt of the initial determination.
If you have any questions concerning your request or the disclosure process that we have initiated, please call Judi Hollingsworth, MSFC FOIA Manager at (256) 544-1837.
Cordially,
Shar Hendrick
Manager
Government and Community Relations Department