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Re: (meteorobs) Fwd: Meteorite said to start backyard fire
In a message dated 12/6/00 6:10:33 PM Pacific Standard Time, k0xp@asusdot net
writes:
<<
Remember that the skin of supersonic aircraft gets extremely hot. If I
remember correctly, the old X2 rocket-plane needed insulating material
similar to the space shuttle's. The SR-71 Blackbird is too hot to touch
after it lands. They have to let the space shuttle cool off something like
15 minutes to an hour before they can touch it.
>>
I really don't know how hot the skin of the X2 or SR-71 are upon landing.
I've never heard this mentioned before. But I doubt the X2 or SR-71 had
extremely cold interiors to help absorb any generated heat thru the air. I
don't think the X2's or SR-71 had any insulating tiles similar to the space
shuttle either. I do vaguely recall that during the early missions of the
space shuttle, the recovery crews use to climb on board right away in
securing the craft. Temperature didn't seem to be an issue. What happened
though was that a ground crew who started working on a shuttle right away
were overcome by toxic fumes left over by the engines and what have you.
Several people died. Then a policy was adopted to let it "air out" for about
an hour before anyone starts working on it. I don't really think skin
temperature upon landing has been a real issue.
GeoZay
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