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/sci/ - Science & Math

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12146400 No.12146400 [Reply] [Original]

Would Columbia have been avoided if instead of the space shuttle being smaller than previous rockets it was just as big?

>> No.12146430

>>12146400
Wasn't part of the reason they went with tiles instead of inconel (or a similar high temperature alloy) due to the Air Force's requirements for a larger vehicle that could reenter in one orbit? If so, the shuttle's size was actually part of the reason Columbia happened.

>> No.12146533

>>12146430
Air force is why the huge delta wings.

>> No.12146561

>>12146533
Exactly, and I believe that the larger surface area combined with the aggressive reentry profile that the delta wings were made for necessitated the use of lightweight, fragile tiles.

>> No.12146582

Jack of all trades, master of none. Should have created three or so different designs, each catering to a different mission scenario. Problem is that sounds more expensive up front but ends up being cheaper since the Shuttle wasn't very good at any of its missions.