TFOT, NASACCETO (totally fookin' off-topic, NASA causes cool engineering to occur)

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Feb 12, 2007 | 06:30 AM

ohbw

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TFOT, NASACCETO (totally fookin' off-topic, NASA causes cool engineering to occur)

I'm working on a new writing project that concerns space and I've been on a NASA research jag which includes the shuttle. I just got reminded by this photograph of a demonstration I saw at Kennedy Space Center a long time ago. In a conference room, a NASA engineer put a cube of the shuttle tile material on a metal stand and then lit an acetylene torch. They doused the lights in the (windowless) room, and he turned the torch on the cube until it was glowing pure white (something like 3000 degrees F, he said). Then the torch went out, and it was pitch dark in the room except for the white hot cube. A few seconds later, the cube began bobbing around in the air. The lights came on, and the NASA guy was holding it in his bare fingers, just as in this photo.

Still blows me away what people can do with their brains. Thought you guys would enjoy.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/84266/shuttletile.jpg"><ul><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_shuttle_thermal_protection_system">Space shuttle thermal protection system</a></li></ul>

Feb 12, 2007 | 07:14 AM

CalG

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Cool

There is such a difference between "Heat" and "temperature".

You may briefly place your hand into a hot oven without injury.

JUST DON"T TOUCH ANYTHING!

CalG

Feb 12, 2007 | 11:23 AM

Jkay

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Re: Cool

The protective tiles on the bottom of the shuttle radiate heat SO rapidly, that the outside layers of it are cool to the touch only moments after removing a heat source.

That's what is occurring here, not some parlor trick.