From: henry@spsystems.net   
      
   In article ,   
   Manfred Bartz   wrote:   
   >> On the other hand if you want to build a expendable, the ET tank adn   
   >> tank sections can be built on a existing facility adn gigs, and are   
   >> inreasonable strung.   
   >   
   >It may be strong, but it is designed to take the thrust on the   
   >inter-tank cross-beam, not on the bottom end of the O2 tank.   
      
   You mean the bottom end of the H2 tank.  (The O2 tank is on top, above the   
   intertank ring.)   
      
   As was noted some time back, pressurized tanks are inordinately strong   
   against compressive loads, and provided you have a bit of thrust structure   
   to spread the load over the base of the tank, this is not likely to be an   
   issue.   
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