On Wed, 23 Jun 2004 23:08:49 +0000, Richard Lamb wrote:

Steve VanSickle wrote:

Yes, it is more difficult. Yes, much hotter, much more energy. But I
have heard many people claim that the "shuttlecock" method Burt
developed "won't work" from orbit, and no one says *why*. If shuttle
wings can be protected (most of the time) from the heat, why can't
Burt's wings?


That seems like a reasonable question. Wish I knew a reasonable answer.

Taking a not so scientific wild assed guess(?) it might have to do with
the amount of area exposed to the plasma stream.

On the Orbiter, only (mostly?) the leading edges are exposed to that level
of heating.


Actually, the Space Shuttle comes into the atmosphere at about 30 deg
angle of attack, so spread the heat load over the whole bottom of the
vehicle.

http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/9-12/features/F_Aeronautics_of_Space_Shuttle.html

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