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From: dil@mace.cc.purdue.edu (Perry G Ramsey)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: Differences in appearance between shuttles
Summary: There are THREE looks for the Apollo
Message-ID: <5402@mace.cc.purdue.edu>
Date: 24 Aug 90 16:46:26 GMT
References: <3316@syma.sussex.ac.uk> <769@idsssd.UUCP> <9102@uhccux.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu>
Organization: Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Lines: 29

In article <9102@uhccux.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu>, goldader@uhccux.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu (Jeff Goldader) writes:
> 
> the "white" of the command module [lasted] Until separation of the
Launch Escape System ...

True

> The actual surface of the command module was covered with highly
> reflective gold foil.  I have a bunch of pictures in a book here 
> showing CMs after splashdown, and the color is gold.  Because of

Actually, the brownish color you see it the ablative (burns away) reentry
thermal protection AFTER reentry.  Look at it up close, and you will
see that it is a very dull brown.  On orbit, the surface is a shiny reflective
surface.  I have not yet found its exact composition.  Give me a couple of
days.

In summary, THREE colors          
1.  On the pad and in the first 2 minutes  WHITE
2.  On-orbit REFLECTIVE
3.  After reentry  DULL BROWN


B
-- 
Perry G. Ramsey           Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
perryr@vm.cc.purdue.edu   Purdue University
dil@mace.cc.purdue.edu    We've looked at clouds from ten sides now, 
			  And we REALLY don't know clouds, at all.