PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - scaled composite's space craft reaches 40 miles
Old 23rd May 2004 | 01:06
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Tinstaafl
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Joined: Dec 1998
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From: Escapee from Ultima Thule
Something I don't understand:


If other orbital/suborbital craft need ablative coatings &/or high performance insulating tiles, how come this one seems not to need them?

Is it that as a suborbital craft, lacking orbital velocity, lack the kinetic energy to disipate? What about the early suborbital Mercury capsules? I thought they needed an ablative shield?

Last edited by Tinstaafl; 23rd May 2004 at 02:43.
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