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Arc Jet and Return to Flight
06.22.05
 
Links to broadcast quality audio files and transcripts, May 4, 2005 interviews with Ernest Fretter and John Balboni, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., about the Ames 'Arc Jet' facilities and their use in returning the Space Shuttle to flight.

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Radio 16 bit 44.1 kilohertz stereo WAV 5.1 MB
Radio 320 kbps MP3 1.1 MB
on-line Mono-56kps MP3 212 KB

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Full Transcript (below)


13. Q: Would some designs include the ability to change the heat shield, depending upon the mission, while keeping the basic ship the same except for the heat shield?

Balboni: I think the difference in the heat shield and requirements probably will drive different vehicles for say, the Mars entry. And then for the Mars return would probably be a different vehicle with a different heat shield. Mostly likely, rather trying to use the same vehicle over again. The other thing about an ablating material is that they tend to be one time use, and after that you would want to re-use an ablated heat shield. (30 SECONDS)