White Multi-Purpose Cure In Place Ablator Applicator (CIPAA) sack, measuring approximately 23″ long and 18″ in diameter, with a tag sewn at one end: "Multipurpose CIPAA Sack, SED33119106-309, S/N 1010, Note: Two sacks are to be installed around T-RAD Assy, one inside the other. The sacks are interchangeable, any sack may be used as inner or outer sack." The duffel-style sack is zippered at one end and has two nylon handles. In fine condition.
Silicone based Shuttle Tile Ablator-54 (STA-54), consists of two parts, a base material and a catalyst. Both are mixed together during application using the Cure-In-Place Ablative Applicator (CIPAA). The system consists of an EVA backpack with tanks that separately contain both components under pressure, and an applicator gun that extrudes the material into a tile gap. The Multi-Purpose CIPPA Sack was used to transport the tanks for launch. A CIPAA unit was launched on the Discovery STS-114 return to flight mission, but was not tested. NASA officials and the crew did not believe it was ready. CIPAA was only considered for a short period of time until it was surpassed with the Tile Repair Ablator Dispenser (T-RAD)-3. The consignor notes that this CIPAA sack was downgraded to Class III at time of disposal, and purchased as NASA surplus.
