| We have all seen images of matter entering the | | | | that cover the surface of the shuttle are silica. The |
| Earth's atmosphere leaving a flaming trail in its wake. | | | | properties of these materials are strong enough to |
| The intensity of the heat created during the launch | | | | withhold the stresses put on the vehicle, withholding |
| and re-entry of a space shuttle requires levels of | | | | astronomical temperatures and pressure. |
| thermal insulation beyond anything we use on Earth, | | | | Unfortunately, the best example to use which |
| and as you can imagine, there are special | | | | demonstrates why thermal insulation is so important |
| requirements for space insulation. The realities of | | | | in space exploration is the 2003 Space Shuttle |
| having a space ship which was equipped with poor | | | | Columbia disaster. Columbia was NASA's first space |
| quality thermal insulation were made tragically clear in | | | | worthy shuttle in its orbital fleet. The first mission |
| 2003 as the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated | | | | was launched on April 12 1981 and lasted two days. |
| upon re entry, killing all seven crew members. So | | | | The shuttle made 26 successful subsequent missions |
| what are the differences between earthly and out of | | | | into space, launching satellites, taking pictures of the |
| this world thermal insulation? | | | | universe and Earth, and servicing the Hubble Space |
| Well, in space, the sun's heat cannot be attenuated | | | | telescope in its later years. |
| as there is no atmosphere, which means heat cannot | | | | On 1 February, 2003, after a 16 day scientific mission, |
| be conducted to other objects and convective heat | | | | its 28th in total, Space Shuttle Columbia was |
| transfers cannot occur either. Consequently, the | | | | destroyed during re entry and all seven crew |
| surfaces of a space shuttle will heat up extremely | | | | members perished. The formal investigation of the |
| quickly and to an unbearable level. Thermal insulation | | | | craft debris found over an area in Texas, reported |
| in the form of special paint or a gold foil substance is | | | | that a piece of thermal insulation had peeled away |
| attached to the outer surfaces of the shuttle to | | | | from the fuel tank during take off, causing a hole to |
| reduce the amount of heat entering the space ship. | | | | be punctured in one of the wings. This structural |
| Insulating materials are also necessary around heat | | | | problem led to the disintegration of the whole shuttle |
| producing components such as the fuel tanks. | | | | as it could no longer withstand the pressure put on it |
| However, the materials cannot be thick or heavy as | | | | as it re entered the Earth's atmosphere. |
| extra mass attached to a shuttle during launch adds | | | | This tragic reminder of how vital proper thermal |
| extra costs onto the mission, very large costs. | | | | insulation is in space will not be forgotten by NASA or |
| Pressure levels in space and during launch and re | | | | any other organisations in the space exploration |
| entry are immense, and materials used in the space | | | | community. Engineers are developing new materials |
| ship need to be extremely strong and able to resist | | | | and structures for thermal insulation all the time, and |
| break up. The nose cone is often made from | | | | maybe one day our homes will have space age |
| reinforced carbon-carbon composite whilst the tiles | | | | thermal insulation. |