On Tue, 18 Feb 2003, Pierce Nichols wrote:
> >As a side issue, how hot is the vehicle going to be when it lands? Will
> >it need time to cool down?
>
> Depends heavily on the TPS system. Re-radiative systems will be
> very hot and will require substantial cool down.
Moreover, they will need cooling of the vehicle too, because heat will be
trying to get out of the TPS inward as well as outward. (The temperature
peak for shuttle payloads is after landing!)
> ...Ablative systems will probably require significant
> cool down time...
Ablators are supposed to be much less of a problem in this area, because
they rely less on insulating ability and more on built-in expendable
coolant. But I wouldn't bet large amounts of money on it without tests,
especially for thick layers of low-conductivity ablators.
Henry Spencer
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