Columbias Rudder Question

[dave1904]

Ive always asked myself what that thing is on the top of Columbias rudder that no other shuttle appears to have. She didn't have it in the beginning from early photos. Here is a link so you guys know what I mean.

http://prnt.sc/f4xfrp

[Ten Key]

"STS-61-C saw Columbia return to flight for the first time since the STS-9 mission in November 1983, after having undergone major modifications over the course of 18 months by Rockwell International in California. Most notable of these modifications was the addition of the SILTS (Shuttle Infrared Leeside Temperature Sensing) pod atop Columbia's vertical stabilizer, which used an infrared camera to observe reentry heating on the shuttle's left wing and part of its fuselage. The camera was only used for a few more missions after STS-61-C, but the pod remained on Columbia for the remainder of its operational life."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STS-61-C

 

[dave1904]

49 minutes ago, Ten Key said:

"STS-61-C saw Columbia return to flight for the first time since the STS-9 mission in November 1983, after having undergone major modifications over the course of 18 months by Rockwell International in California. Most notable of these modifications was the addition of the SILTS (Shuttle Infrared Leeside Temperature Sensing) pod atop Columbia's vertical stabilizer, which used an infrared camera to observe reentry heating on the shuttle's left wing and part of its fuselage. The camera was only used for a few more missions after STS-61-C, but the pod remained on Columbia for the remainder of its operational life."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STS-61-C

 

Thanks alot man