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...to the shuttle's safe re-entry to Earth.

The TPS consists of thousands of heat-resistant silica-based tiles that keep the heat from atmospheric re-entry from being transferred to the shuttle's aluminum structure. However, the tiles are relatively delicate and are easily damaged. Insulating foam shed from the external fuel tank due to aerodynamic forces can damage the tiles.

NASA called on Neptec Design Group, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, one of its prime contractors since 1995, to collect three-dimensional information to evaluate the severity of the situation. Neptec provides machine vision systems for the space, defense, and quality assurance industries. Focused on providing 3D processing products, Neptec offers smart 3D sensors as well as intelligent, embedded image processing and analysis tools designed to increase the effectiveness of existing...

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