Summary

Description	For the Space Shuttle orbiter, blankets do more than keep away the cold. They also offer protection from intense heat. Made of a woven ceramic fabric, special blankets are used in several areas on the orbiter. For example, the blankets help insulate the vehicle's Reinforced Carbon-Carbon nose cap. In preparation for Discovery's Return to Flight mission, STS-114, workers at NASA's Kennedy Space Center recently manufactured and installed the nose cap blankets. It was the first time the two-month process was completed entirely at KSC. Blanket pieces must be cut, quilted together, and trimmed to exact measurements. Then they are heat-cleaned and waterproofed in large ovens resembling pizza ovens. Finally, they are attached to a support structure and installed in the nose cap. When the Shuttle returns to flight, the blankets will help protect it from the extreme temperatures it will face during its mission.
Date	2004-06-04
Source	images.nasa.gov

Licensing

Public Domain (US Government Work)