Lockheed has developed and manufactured the reusable heat shield, which recently qualified for manned space flight in the eminently successful initial mission of NASA's first Space Shuttle orbiter Columbia. The first shipset of rigidized silica-fiber tiles consists of 30757 individually machined parts, installed by Rockwell International, and manufactured with two densities, LI-900 at 144 kg/m3 density and LI-2200 at 352 kg/m3 density. The tiles are provided with two borosilicate glass coatings: the familiar black high temperature reusable surface insulation (HRSI)), which predominantly covers the underbody, and the white low temperature reusable surface insulation (LRSI), which fills in the upper surfaces. The unique characteristics of this successful reradiative thermal protection system (TPS) stem from unsurpassed thermal-shock resistance and light weight achieved with an amorphous silica-fiber composite structure, and the compatible high emittance borosilicate glass coating systems. The Space Shuttle HRSI and LRSI thermal protection system has evolved over many years and as a result of the contributions and dedication of many people and organizations, including Rockwell International, the NASA Research Centers, and Lockheed Missiles and Space Co. (LMSC).


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    Title :

    HRSI and LRSI - the early years


    Additional title:

    Wiederverwendbare Hochtemperatur-Oberflaechenisolation (HRSI) und wiederverwendbare Niedertemperatur-Oberflaechenisolation (LRSI); die fruehen Jahre


    Contributors:
    Schramm, W. (author)

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    1981


    Size :

    2 Seiten, 1 Bild, 7 Quellen


    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




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