CaseyKnight
I really should change my personal text
- Joined
- 25 July 2011
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I remember reading that many aircraft, such as the B-58, A-12/SR-71 and the like used fuel as a heat-sink. There were also some aircraft and spacecraft designs that used thermal protection systems (effectively, a heat-shield).
While most heat-shields were ceramic, there were some proposals, particularly those developed by McDonnell, which used metal set-ups such as this design.
Some of the designs seemed to be at least as effective as the ceramic design (though the ceramic concept wins points for simplicity), and appear to have been lighter: I'm curious if there's any declassified information on these, as well as anything that could be used to constitute a timeline of these developments by McDonnell, or other contractors.
While most heat-shields were ceramic, there were some proposals, particularly those developed by McDonnell, which used metal set-ups such as this design.
Some of the designs seemed to be at least as effective as the ceramic design (though the ceramic concept wins points for simplicity), and appear to have been lighter: I'm curious if there's any declassified information on these, as well as anything that could be used to constitute a timeline of these developments by McDonnell, or other contractors.
