Heat Shield has arrived at KSC!https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/08/orions-heat-shield-kennedy-em-1/By Chris Gebhardt.
TPS tile bonding for EM-1 is now taking place.
Quote from: Joy HuffThe fact that Orion lands in the ocean, requires we replace the tiles after each mission. The tiles are waterproofed to protect them from fresh water, such as rain. But during re-entry the waterproofing material burns out of the tiles so they do absorb salt water while in the ocean and that adds contaminants that would make their reuse impossible. Installing TPS tiles will be a part of preparation for each mission. The work taking place now will help perfect the process.
The fact that Orion lands in the ocean, requires we replace the tiles after each mission. The tiles are waterproofed to protect them from fresh water, such as rain. But during re-entry the waterproofing material burns out of the tiles so they do absorb salt water while in the ocean and that adds contaminants that would make their reuse impossible.
Interesting quote with regards to the reusability of Orion components:
Quote from: woods170 on 08/29/2016 08:43 amInteresting quote with regards to the reusability of Orion components:Which suggests the rest of the vehicle can be reused. Interesting.
Significant reprocessing.
Glad to see the Guppy is still there, just like in the old Apollo days. Good aircrafts never dies. "Hey, you little Orion,stop bragging about. I carried your grandpa Apollo in his infancy."