16. What are the materials that could withstand the temperature, without freezing or burning, that are used for the Shuttle? (A K2S Question)

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In addition to aluminum alloy, other traditional materials such as steel, stainless steel, copper, titanium, magnesium, beryllium, and plastics are used. The orbiter windows are made with special optical glass up to 2.55 inches thick. Non-metallics such as Kevlar and epoxy are also used for such things as stowage lockers. The thermal protection system, or heat shield, uses a range of heat-resistant materials such as carbon, alumina, silicon, silicon carbide, and aramids to make insulation blankets and tiles. (Ref. 1)

Ref 1.NASA, National Space Transportation System Reference, Volume 1 Systems and Facilities, June 1988. This document is available on the Internet at: http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/technology/sts-newsref/stsreftoc.html#sts-umbilical-doors


Answer provided by Jon H. Brown


Image:K2S logosmall.jpg Question and Answer extracted from the book Kids to Space - by Lonnie Schorer


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