For all you fans of Orion and the SLS.

[ComatoseJedi]

It appears the engineers at NASA are going to what looks like "old school Apollo" with the Orion space craft.

[IMG]http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/styles/side_image/public/thumbnails/image/silver_1.jpeg?itok=b9kWRqnR[/IMG]

Well, this is news to me. If anyone else didn't know, now you do, lol.

Full Story:
[URL="http://www.nasa.gov/feature/engineers-refine-thermal-protection-system-for-orion-s-next-mission"]http://www.nasa.gov/feature/engineers-refine-thermal-protection-system-for-orion-s-next-mission[/URL]

[Gaarst]

But will it ride eternal, shiny and chrome ? :huh:

[Robotengineer]

Now NASA needs to reverse the decision to paint the SLS adapter orange. It's ugly and tacky. I like the shiny look on Orion though.

[Kerbal01]

The stage adapter isn't painted, that is the natural color of its insulation.

[WinkAllKerb'']

whales: calm
Aliens: do harpoons work on the new orion ?
orion: hopefully not
doplphin and fish: ok

[ComatoseJedi]

[quote name='DarthVader']The stage adapter isn't painted, that is the natural color of its insulation.[/QUOTE]

This is true, but it would be awesome if they didn't paint it. It would definitely be a classic statement about space travel: If I am going to blow up, it's going to be in something shiny!

[Robotengineer]

[quote name='DarthVader']The stage adapter isn't painted, that is the natural color of its insulation.[/QUOTE]

Why is the adapter insulated?

[Kerbal01]

[quote name='Robotengineer']Why is the adapter insulated?[/QUOTE]
To prevent it from the intense thermal shock heating of being a really wide part attached to a small part moving stupid fast. Or as NASA says

[quote name='NASA'][COLOR=#000000][FONT=Verdana]Also insulated with the orange foam is the Launch Vehicle Stage Adapter, the conical section that connects the core stage with the upper stage. Because this section widens so much from top to bottom, it will experience extreme aerodynamic heating during launch, and the foam will protect the metal underneath from the high temperatures.[/quote][/FONT][/COLOR] Edited November 20, 2015 by DarthVader

[fredinno]

He just said that it wasn't painted.

[Legendary Emu]

Shiny!
tenchar

[Sanic]

Ohh... shiny.

Needless to say is that Jeb would be proud.

[Glaran K'erman]

Looks sorta cool right? Well I'd thought I'd let you guys know there was a thread started about this is the Science Labs, for your interest.
[URL]http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/140043-Orion-gets-a-silver-metallic-based-thermal-control-coating[/URL]