arstechnica ,
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

First Dream Chaser spaceplane needs more work when it gets to launch site

The rest of Dream Chaser's heat shield tiles will be installed at Kennedy Space Center.

https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/05/first-dream-chaser-spaceplane-needs-more-work-when-it-gets-to-launch-site/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Luna ,
@Luna@mastodon.world avatar

@arstechnica I think some parts of the TPS needed to be left off to fit in the jig or to allow access to lift points.

jstevenyork ,
@jstevenyork@mastodon.social avatar

@arstechnica
The rule seems to be, tile heat shields are HARD, and subject to endless fidgeting. And remember that a tile failure killed a space shuttle crew. 90% of the way on a heat-shield isn't enough, and nobody has really proven them as safe and routinely reliable. This remains a major challenge for SpaceX on their Starship as well.

SimpleMan ,
@SimpleMan@mastodon.sdf.org avatar

@arstechnica Vulcan's backup payload would be Project Kuiper satellites.

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