KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Orbiter Processing Facility, John Newport, with United Space Alliance, inspects a spar to be installed on the wing of the orbiter Atlantis. Reinforced Carbon Carbon (RCC) panels are mechanically attached to the wing with a series of floating joints - spars - to r

Credit lineKENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Orbiter Processing Facility, John Newport, with United Space Alliance, inspects a spar to be installed on the wing of the orbiter Atlantis. Reinforced Carbon Carbon (RCC) panels are mechanically attached to the wing with a series of floating joints - spars - to reduce loading on the panels caused by wing deflections. The aluminum and the metallic attachments are protected from exceeding temperature limits by internal insulation.. NASA/KSC, 2003-09-04. Public domain. ID: KSC-03pd2532.