Originally posted by Chaszz:
Not to make light of this in any way, but it is amazing to me how primitive the space shuttles are, compared to the science fiction vehicles we have been 'raised on', and the real ships that will no doubt follow some day. It goes into orbit not by its own power, but helplessly piggy-backed on enormous rockets that later fall away. Once there, repairs are impossible even had they been known to be needed. The tiles cannot be repaired in space. There are no handholds on the bottom of the ship for a spacewalk. They couldn't dock with the space station. They could have conceivably changed orbits to match with the space atation, but not gotten across because no tie lines exist and they might have 'floated' off into eternity. They would have had no choice but to chance a re-entry anyway.
And, incomprehensible to me, the tiles survive 3000 degrees F. of heat, yet are weak enough to be broken with one's hand during installation if not handled correctly! A craft of this sophistication comes back to earth using weak and crumbly ceramic tiles on its belly for protection.
I know the space program has worked wonders, but this level of primitivism after such huge expenditures in money and time, shows how incredibly difficult the whole thing really is.
[This message has been edited by Chaszz (edited February 04, 2003).]
Not to make light of this in any way, but it is amazing to me how primitive the space shuttles are, compared to the science fiction vehicles we have been 'raised on', and the real ships that will no doubt follow some day. It goes into orbit not by its own power, but helplessly piggy-backed on enormous rockets that later fall away. Once there, repairs are impossible even had they been known to be needed. The tiles cannot be repaired in space. There are no handholds on the bottom of the ship for a spacewalk. They couldn't dock with the space station. They could have conceivably changed orbits to match with the space atation, but not gotten across because no tie lines exist and they might have 'floated' off into eternity. They would have had no choice but to chance a re-entry anyway.
And, incomprehensible to me, the tiles survive 3000 degrees F. of heat, yet are weak enough to be broken with one's hand during installation if not handled correctly! A craft of this sophistication comes back to earth using weak and crumbly ceramic tiles on its belly for protection.
I know the space program has worked wonders, but this level of primitivism after such huge expenditures in money and time, shows how incredibly difficult the whole thing really is.
[This message has been edited by Chaszz (edited February 04, 2003).]
Joy
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