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Posted by Vivek Soley
on 2/11/2003, 3:30 pm
Message modified by board administrator 2/12/2003, 2:16 am
On Feb 1st 9 a.m. EST the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated while entering the earth's atmosphere killing all the seven astronauts onboard.
The investigations about the cause of this mishap goes on. The failure of Space Shuttle thermal protection tiles could be one of the reason which caused Columbia's breakup.
Columbia's aluminum skin was covered with more than 20,000 heat- resistant tiles. While the ceramic tiles themselves can withstand the 3,000 degree heat of re-entry, the tiles are glued with an epoxy to a thin mat that is glued to the shuttle. That glue begins to degrade at just 660 degrees. These tiles have always been a problem.
Is there an alternative to these tiles. Can a coating be developed to patch up the damaged area in orbit. We invite you to share your views experience and contribution on this topic and on "Coatings on spacecrafts" in general.
Regards
Vivek Soley
Moderator
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