Space Shuttle Thermal Protection System (TPS) Q&A

• Space Shuttle Thermal Protection System (TPS) Q&A by Jo0809 on 09 May, 2012 19:58
• I know that the black, high temperature tiles are coated with black borosilicate, but are the white low temperature tiles also coated with someting or do they just consist of LI-900?
  
  Thank you very much
  
  Please apologize my bad English
• #1 by truth is life on 27 May, 2012 19:48
• Quote from: Jo0809 on 09 May, 2012 19:58

  I know that the black, high temperature tiles are coated with black borosilicate, but are the white low temperature tiles also coated with someting or do they just consist of LI-900?
  
  Thank you very much
  
  Please apologize my bad English
  

  
  Quoting Jenkins:
  
  "...and [the LRSI, ie. white tiles] have a white optical and moisture-resistant coating applied 10 mils thick to the top and sides."
  
  They are also waterproofed, but that's not exactly a coating per se.
• #2 by Archer on 16 Jun, 2012 20:29
• Does anybody know where I can find detailed information about Space Shuttle TPS?
  How many of the tiles where replaced after flight?
  How they were protected from micrometeorites damage?
  Why tiles are made so small?
  Why tiles are unique? (I understand why they use tiles made of different materials at different parts of the orbier, but why all tiles where unique? It is possible to make almost any surface from for example triangles)
  What is used to fill the space between tiles?
  
  Haven't found enough data in Google
• #3 by DMeader on 16 Jun, 2012 23:08
• A good start is the Jenkins book previously quoted.
  
   Space Shuttle: The History of the National Space Transportation System The First 100 Missions, 3rd Edition by Dennis R. Jenkins.  About $25 on Amazon.
• #4 by Jim on 17 Jun, 2012 12:56
• Quote from: Archer on 16 Jun, 2012 20:29

  Does anybody know where I can find detailed information about Space Shuttle TPS?
  How many of the tiles where replaced after flight?
  How they were protected from micrometeorites damage?
  Why tiles are made so small?
  Why tiles are unique? (I understand why they use tiles made of different materials at different parts of the orbier, but why all tiles where unique? It is possible to make almost any surface from for example triangles)
  What is used to fill the space between tiles?
  
  Haven't found enough data in Google
  

  
  it varies
  They are thick enough to survive MMOD damage
  Because the orbiters body flexes and larger tiles would then crack. 
  It is the bottom of the tiles that is unique.  They have to fit to the contour of the vehicle.
  Gapfiller
  
  Get and read Jenkins
• #5 by Archer on 17 Jun, 2012 19:16
• Quote from: DMeader on 16 Jun, 2012 23:08

  A good start is the Jenkins book previously quoted.
  
   Space Shuttle: The History of the National Space Transportation System The First 100 Missions, 3rd Edition by Dennis R. Jenkins.  About $25 on Amazon.
  

  
  

  Quote from: Jim on 17 Jun, 2012 12:56

  Get and read Jenkins
  

  
  Roger!