NASA Looks at Variables on Fuel Tank - New foam formula used for Discovery

Florida Today | JOHN KELLY

[Young Werther]

Make the ET a double walled vessel like a thermos bottle. Yes, it will be heavier but that can be solved by filling the tanks and flying the tank into orbit!!

Not a new idea but these tanks can be the basis for a tank farm in orbit to fuel the Earth/Lunar FEDEX truck, (privately owned inter orbit vehicle) which will usher in the true conquest of space since the likes of Rutan will fill the void that NASA has not occupied!

[MarineBrat]

since the tanks splash into the Indian Ocean have they ever analyzed any

The tank burns up upon reentry. The tank stays with the Shuttle nearly all the way to orbit, as it must supply the fuel to the Shuttle main engines.

[norraad]

"You are correct, sir!"

They are bold face liars, whose lies have caused deaths, therefore they are murderers.

[solitas]

The tank's pretty light, when empty - I think it slows down pretty fast and doesn't completely burn.

Actually, I think I saw a video once 'way back during the earliest launches where they showed the boosters being recovered in the Atlantic and the tank/pieces splashing in the Indian.