To: RaceBannon
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.
To: RadioAstronomer
"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.
22 posted on
02/01/2003 11:06:08 AM PST by
Movemout
(RIP you who dare and lose)
To: RadioAstronomer
I believe NASA possibly knows what happend. Do you agree with this?
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