This Is Why The Space Shuttle's External Fuel Tank Stopped Being Painted White
Originally the Shuttle’s external tank was painted with white latex paint not just to match its fellow Orbiter and Solid Rocket Boosters components, but to reflect UV rays, keeping the tanks’ liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen fuel cool after being filled prior to launch.
After the first two Shuttle flights, STS-1 and STS-2, NASA and Lockheed Martin, who built the tanks, decided that this extra bit of thermal protection was not really needed and that 600 pounds could be saved by not including it. The weight saved by omitting the white paint could be used for extra payload or performance. As a result, future missions reverted to the tank’s insulating foam’s natural tone, which was rust orange in color.
(Jalopnik.com)
No comments:
Post a Comment