[RadioAstronomer]

BUT, since this is a material that has to survive liftoff heat and speed of wind, I imagine it had a hard shell, almost ceramic outside.

I can say this; the Ceramic tiles are not like the ceramics you find in a local store. I can grab the material and crush it in my hand. Feels almost like foam. I have a piece of it here in my office and it has dents from my fingers.

[Movemout]

"I can say this; the Ceramic tiles are not like the ceramics you find in a local store. I can grab the material and crush it in my hand. Feels almost like foam. I have a piece of it here in my office and it has dents from my fingers. "

You may have a piece of SIRCA from the leading edge. I know that NASA was experimenting with it a few years ago. SIRCA = Silicon Impregnated Reusable Ceramic Ablative. It is not a true "ablative" -- When brand new it is white. After its first use the surface layer heats up and ablates to form a hard black surface which provides a standoff protecting the rest of the leading edge tile.

[Joe Hadenuf]

I believe NASA possibly knows what happend. Do you agree with this?