From: cdorrough@nortonconsultants.com   
      
   "Henry Spencer"  wrote in message   
   news:HszEqH.HGL@spsystems.net...   
   >   
   > [snip]   
   >   
   > But ablative heatshields don't work very well if you start insisting that   
   > the vehicle has to have *wings*.  That's what killed Columbia:  the long,   
   > slow, reentry of a winged vehicle gives it a prolonged roasting rather   
   > than a quick blowtorching, requiring thermal protection that radiates heat   
   > away rather than soaking it up... and thus needs exotic high-temperature   
   > materials, which typically involve compromises in areas like physical   
   > durability.   
      
   Henry, having said that.. what are your thoughts on something along the   
   lines of Rutans' SpaceShipOne "shuttlecock" design?  That has wings but   
   would reenter quicker than a conventional airframe shape.   
      
   Would something like that (but with an Apollo-style ablative shield on the   
   belly) offer any advantages?   
      
   Thanks,   
   Cameron:-)   
      
   > >   It's  premature to say airplanes can't reenter.   
   >   
   > Nearly half a century ago, we already understood that an airplane shape   
   > was not the best choice for reentry.   
   > --   
   > MOST launched 30 June; science observations running     |   Henry Spencer   
   > since Oct; first surprises seen; papers pending.        |   
   henry@spsystems.net   
      
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