It looks like you're using an Ad Blocker.
Please white-list or disable AboveTopSecret.com in your ad-blocking tool.
Thank you.
Some features of ATS will be disabled while you continue to use an ad-blocker.
Originally posted by shots
Has anyone other then me ever wondered why they never designed the external tanks like a stainless steel thermos bottle? I am no engineer, but it seems to make sense to me that would have prevented the problems with the foam.
Originally posted by jsobecky
Here's a bits and pieces answer: I had heard that the type of foam permitted on the shuttle was dictated by an environmental ruling on permitted refrigerants. The current foam meets the EPA standard but is weaker than it's predecessor.
I thought NASA was exempted from legislation that called for a reduction in freon use. Therefore there should have been no need to change the foam.
Originally posted by jsobecky
I thought NASA was exempted from legislation that called for a reduction in freon use. Therefore there should have been no need to change the foam.
You would think so. That would seem logical; we're not talking kilotons of the stuff.
Suddenly after years of no problems NASA changes changes foam for either reason and we have two problems that are foam related, Equals cover up by NASA because they know the new foam is not as good.