Randall Clague wrote:
> I don't see this. A vehicle with a field-swappable TPS can have a
> fast turnaround. Unlock the panels, take them off, put the new ones
> on, and lock them down. Send the old panels off to the shop for
> refurb, or throw them out.
Precisely. The original (1987) Alpha designs had ablative oak laminate
that was attached to the (removable) base cap. After landing the
grounds crew would pop the base, swap it out for a fresh one and
secure it. We'd have a new TPS in under two hours while other techs
were fixing anything that shook loose, the cargo boys where swapping
payload attachments and the loaders were refuelling. A six hour
turnaround was very do-able.
Michael
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael Wallis KF6SPF (408) 396-9037 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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