Re: Foam and rescue possibilities

In article <1151402939.812148.237790@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
Alex Terrell <alexterrell@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
With an inline SDHLV, the impact issue largely goes away. However, it
does seem they're now going for a complete redesign. In which case it
might make sense to jettison most of the insulation. Won't happen
though.

Probably not. The S-II's external LH2-tank insulation was originally
separate panels; they were retained rather than jettisoned, but it
wouldn't have been a big stretch to jettison them. However, they too
turned out to need helium purges and other hassles, and it was a big
improvement when they were abandoned in favor of -- you guessed it --
spray-on foam. NASA isn't likely to want to open that can of worms
again without an urgent reason.
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