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New Shuttle Fuel Tanks Ready

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the can-run-suv-for-two-hours dept.

confusion writes "NASA has completed the redesigned fuel tanks for the Shuttle scheduled to for launch in May or June of this year. "On the new tank, NASA has reconfigured the struts and fittings where foam was prone to peeling off, and installed heaters to prevent ice from forming. The new tank has cameras that will allow ground workers to monitor for damage as the shuttle ascends.""

5 of 298 comments (clear)

  1. Shuttle by spac3manspiff · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So when are they going to redesign the shuttle though?

  2. Damage-Cams by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "The new tank has cameras that will allow ground workers to monitor for damage as the shuttle ascends."

    Not much of a reassurance to the crew though, are they?

    Ground worker #1: "Looks like she's breakin' apart."
    Ground worker #2: "Mm-hmm."
    Ground worker #1: "We install brakes?"
    Ground worker #2: "Nope."
    Ground worker #1: "Ejection seats?"
    Ground worker #2: "Nope."
    Ground worker #1: "... So, how about them Cubs?"

  3. Re:Not only that.... by October_30th · · Score: 5, Funny
    you are ready to go for the Ursa Major mission

    Wouldn't it be safer to start with an Ursa Minor mission first?

    --
    The owls are not what they seem
  4. Re:They're still not solving the problem by i41Overlord · · Score: 5, Funny

    Troy Hurtubise, the Canadian who did the famous bear-proof suit documented in the movie Project grizzly, spent 18 years researching how to make a flameproof material, and finally has it. It's far more heat-resistant than the space shuttle tiles, far more durable, and far cheaper.

    It should be mentioned that not only are his new tiles flameproof, but they're bear-proof as well. This is very beneficial for the shuttle during re-entry, where it has to survive not only the intense heat of re-entry, but the occasional high-altitude bear attack as well.

  5. Re:They're still not solving the problem by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    holy shit you know nothing about the shuttle.

    those tiles are not "crushable" in your hand. i have one here on my desk and after almost 10 years of abuse it has on my besk it still looks quite nice.

    expensiv? yes compared to what is in your oven. Expensive compared to the job they do? nope. they are miuch cheaper than an ablative heat shield.
    they also are VERY good, moron... why do you think they use them? because they work.. the guys at nasa are not idiots.

    I suggest you actually learn about what you are talking about before you make shit up and try to post it as fact.