Is the HEAT SHIELD a *secret* technology?

[tap_sa]

Hush... the public must never know that we got the heat shield technology from the Grays. Many cows got mutilated for that...

 

[john_316]

Shhhhh ... but those terracotta pots gotta break sometime and we dont want the pakistanis reusing them now do we... and yes orange seems to be an obsessive color with rocketry these days.<br /><br />I think Iran wants to learn how to make shielding for its nuclear weapons program I mean they want a light weight shielding other than lead for their peaceful nuclear ambitions. <br /><br />I am Surprised the Russians didnt sell them shielding yet either like the chinese stole from Los Alamos Labs. Ooops I mean recovered from some Hard Disks someone at the Labs lost....<br /><br /><br /><img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br /><br /><br />

 

[scottb50]

Is that all the Los Alamos thing was about? Actually a terracotta pot would make a very good re-entry vehicle. As long as it has a soft landing or is not intended to survive. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[trailrider]

"> Lets suppose that you want to buit a reentry vehicle. Is it the heat shiel a secret technology? <br /><br />Secret in a "government sense", perhaps not. Although, I could see the potential. For example, suppose you develop a ceramic heat shield technology that also happens to be really good at absorbing RADAR waves, then there may be some concerns. <br /><br />That's called "Classified". (In other words, we could tell you, but we'd then have to kill you! <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> )<br />Secret in a "commercial sense", however, may use a different level of evaluation. For example, if you are a private company and you build a great new heat shield technology, you may want to keep it secret from competitors. Another approach is to apply for patents, but that is full of land mines."<br /><br />That's called "proprietary". (If you found out, we'd have to SUE you! <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> )<br /><br />Seriously, there are probably a bunch of heat shield materials that would be available if you look hard enough. Chance are, however, you'd have to contract with the manufacturer to make up the size and shape item. Probably NOT cheap! For example, back in 1958, when I was in high school, and teaching myself how to design liquid propellant rocket engines (analine/Red Fuming Nitric Acid), I had the insides of the combustion chamber and nozzle (uncooled) flame-sprayed with Rokide-Z (zirconia) by the Norton Company of Worchester, MA. I think the costs of two sets was about $450! (I had some VERY indulgent parents!) The total surface area was probably under 25 inches^2 by .030" thick. It ain't gonna be cheap in today's dollars!<br /><br />Ad Luna! Ad Ares! Ad Astra! (What we really need is an attack by the Borg or a killer asteroid approaching for a 2015 impact! Maybe that would loosen the purse strings on Capitol Hill!)

 

[propforce]

<font color="yellow">That's called "Classified". (In other words, we could tell you, but we'd then have to kill you! ) ................ <br />That's called "proprietary". (If you found out, we'd have to SUE you! )............ </font><br /><br />There is something in between, it's called EXPORT CONTROLLED technologies as well as ITAR (international traffic in arms regulations), and they are not the same. I believe each criteria is established by different government agencies. But the bottom line is one could go to JAIL if found for having pass some of these technologies, and rocket reentry vehicles are one of them, to any non-US persons, entities, or government. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>