At 10:18 PM 2/19/2003 -0800, Jim Richardson wrote:
On Tue, Feb 18, 2003 at 10:58:51PM -0800, Pierce Nichols wrote:
> At 09:31 PM 2/18/2003 -0800, Jim Richardson 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. Transpiration systems will
> require none at all. Ablative systems will probably require significant
> cool down time -- anyone with experience with them got a perspective?
>
So that has a big impact on turnaround time then.
(assuming you can't just cool it actively after landing. )
Well, cooling off any current or anticipated re-radiative system by hosing it down would probably cause it to crack from thermal stress, like a hot cast-iron pan dunked in cold water. Even if you found a way to cool it actively, it would still increase the time and labor required.
-p
Mars or Bust!
www.marssociety.com
_______________________________________________
ERPS-list mailing list
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://lists.erps.org/mailman/listinfo/erps-list
