Space Forum / Shuttle / July 2005

I have an idea, almost certainly been considered before, but has anyone
considered spraying the foam on the *inside* of the tank instead, where it
can't break loose and damage the tiles?
The foam shouldn't disintegrate inside because of the pressure in the tank

I understand that there are 6 people very close to the Shuttle in bunkers at
launch to help in any escape.
Has anyone ever spoken to one of these people, what must it be like so close
to the Shuttle at launch.

From looking back over the archives of this group, it seems this idea has
never been seriously discussed.  It quickly goes off on unrelated tangents.
But what if we painted the ET with a latex-like paint?  It's fairly elastic
and might provide just enough surface tension to retain ...

I guess I should not be surprised that NASA
still has not fixed the FOAM problem. I thought
at least they would go back to using Freon
see

I am not sure what is more cool.
The SRB video, or the fact that it has audio!

This is a question for Jorge (or really, anyone who has specific
knowledge of ascent flight ops).  I was watching streaming video of the
launch and the PAO voice-over guy indicated at one point in the launch
after SRB sep that the OMS engines were burning; he said something like

There goes the overhyped return of America to the Moon, Mars and
beyond, I wonder if it was not done on purpose in order to deviate
them uch needed funds to the global domination scheme aka "War on
terror".

Would it be possible for todays Shuttles to achieve equatorial orbit
(should it have a purpose) and return to KSC (or Dryden)?
Could it (theoretically!) reach polar orbit?
Best regards,

windows media stream : http://space44.sp.funpic.de/gigashare8.php
Nasa TV live: http://space-tv.6x.to
- Realplayer 350/225/150K streams
- Windows Media player: 150K stream

The Shuttle will go the same way as Concorde in museums sooner rather than
later.
A friend of mine worked for BA they said a prayer every time Concorde took
off, NASA are doing the same.

Saw the video of the backflip maneuver on:
  http://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight/crew/index.html
How do you download the video file?

How much extra structure would it take to allow the H2 and O2 tanks to be
pressurized to prevent boiling off ?
In such a case, the tanks would not be supercold and not need the foam.
Has nasa investigated this ? Or would the strength needed to contain the

The MPLM appears to be fully loaded, but there
is 'creative space book-keeping' by NASA at
their press kit, that includes the inert weight of
the MPLM (about 4.5 metric tons) as "delivered

My questions:
1. Why not put the feedline inside the ET?
2. Why not put the feedline on the "outside" (180 degrees) from the shuttle?
3. What's the net effect of the PAL Ramp on improving the aerodynamics?

And what theoretical and practical proof was there that it would be
safe enough for the shuttle tank?