wannamoonbase - 7/6/2006 5:37 PMI can't believe that after all this time and all this money and the best PhD's and equipment in the world and people still don't know. If there is this much uncertainty about the Tank than perhaps its time for the STS program to end. I want to see the shuttle fly out its program successfully and retire with respect and on a high note. But that seems nearly impossible. How can there be so much uncertainty with so many smart people and billions in dollars spent?
wannamoonbase - 7/6/2006 6:37 PMI can't believe that after all this time and all this money and the best PhD's and equipment in the world and people still don't know. If there is this much uncertainty about the Tank than perhaps its time for the STS program to end. I want to see the shuttle fly out its program successfully and retire with respect and on a high note. But that seems nearly impossible. How can there be so much uncertainty with so many smart people and billions in dollars spent?
MarkD - 7/6/2006 5:46 PMWhat are the problems now? The foam is the problem, yes but what else can be done? Stripping the ET bare of all the foam seems the ultimate solution unless another alternative for the ET TPS can be made quickly. Currently it's all there is at the moment, have to live with it. I've not heard of anything that can do as well as the foam to keep the cryo fuel super cold, but not have a problem shedding off. One good guess is just cover the tank with styrofoam. Some kind of stronger polymer that will stand up to the same stress but not fail.
Chris Bergin - 7/6/2006 4:53 PMPlease note, our stance is the review has passed.
Boeing Nut - 4/7/2006 10:14 AMI know this would add weight,
Boeing Nut - 4/7/2006 11:14 AMI know this would add weight, but is there a reason why and apoxy coating or a fibreglass coating could not be used to cover the foam itself?
Flightstar - 4/7/2006 10:19 AMQuoteBoeing Nut - 4/7/2006 10:14 AMI know this would add weight, You answered your own question. No point adding that when the Shuttle would the remain on the ground as the margins are that tight.
Jim - 4/7/2006 10:47 AMthe coating itself would become a debris source