Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!ub!ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu!v071pzp4
From: v071pzp4@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (Craig L Cole)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: Shuttle tiles
Message-ID: <45346@eerie.acsu.Buffalo.EDU>
Date: 9 Nov 90 20:14:41 GMT
References: <17415@thorin.cs.unc.edu> <1990Nov9.131430.3134@ncsuvx.ncsu.edu>
Sender: news@acsu.Buffalo.EDU
Reply-To: v071pzp4@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu
Organization: University at Buffalo
Lines: 38
Nntp-Posting-Host: ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.3-4.3

In article <1990Nov9.131430.3134@ncsuvx.ncsu.edu>, eagle@hobbes.ncsu.edu (Daniel L'Hommedieu) writes...
>In article <17415@thorin.cs.unc.edu> ornat@ornat.cs.unc.edu (Steven Ornat) writes:
>>Here is a question that I have been wondering about for a while.
>>
>>Does NASA still have to replace tiles on the shuttle after they
>>return or has that problem been solved?
>>
>>Thanks
>>SteveO
>>
> 
>Steve,
>  To the best of my knowledge, that problem has been solved.  If my
>memory serves me correctly (yeah, right!), the problem was solved soon
[B>after the flight(s?) of the Enterprise.

I'm no expert, but Enterprise never had tiles. It was Columbia that
lost all her tiles after riding the Boeing 905 from California to
Florida. I'm not certain why they all fell off, but the problem
has been pretty well solved.

A lot of the shuttles tiles have been replaced by thermal blankets.
These blankets cover a couple of square feet each and cover the
less heated areas of the shuttle.

BUT -

a bunch of the shuttles tiles usually have to replaced after a flight
anyway, because some of them are damaged launch and/or reentry. The
tiles either are chipped, or sometimes crack.

There was a great article a month or so ago in Discover about the
work that goes into the shuttle between launches, including the
exhausting work checking and replacing the tiles.

Craig Cole
V071PZP4@UBVMS.BITNET
V071PZP4@UBVMS.CC.BUFFALO.EDU