In article
,
frank wrote:



Actually I was thinking of what they do
at the launch pad during launch, not the
tiles on the shuttle

Ever see photos of the pad, there is a large water tower near it. I
think 3 seconds before launch, when engines start up, there is a water
infusion into the bucket that thrust goes into. Think multiple streams
of water. Sucker lights up, hits the water, massive steam and thrust
go out the channels away from the launch pad. That's the big clouds
that occur. Makes pad much more reusable.

I think Shuttle was first system to use that, could be wrong. Makes
entire complex much more reusable.

Nope -- Massive water infusion was used on the Saturn V, IB, Ic, etc.

It helped cool the exhaust gases that impinged on the deflectors. A
direct hit from a rocket motor exhaust of that size would make short
work of any material you could use. As it was, there was still plenty od
flame damage to go around.




If you can get some old Shuttle launch footage, that's one of the
standard shots from NASA and main engine start.

Awesome. Lots of plumbing though.

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