posted 08-19-2020 05:35 PM
Be careful not to breach the outer shell and expose the cerachrome insulation. If it has flown and been heated above 1000 degrees F, it has crystallized.Just a little background on my knowledge of cerachrome. I worked Space Shuttle program as an advanced senior shuttle systems technician from 1988-2011. I mainly worked in the aft vehicle or Aft Orbiter compartment in the OPF at the Kennedy Space Center.
There are a few areas of the orbiter that utilized cerachrome insulation, interior of leading edge of wings, body flap, nose cap and the area I'm most familiar with the dome heatshields around the SSMEs.
Our post flight maintenance required removal of the main engines and hence that required the removal of the heatshields to accomplish that. There was a white thermal blanket that is attached to the heatshields, post flight it usually came back damaged and torn from the forces that area endured during launch. The damage caused the cerachrome insulation to become exposed.
The cerachrome would crystallize from high heating 1000 degrees F and higher, the crystallized insulation is very carcinogenic to humans. The technicians were briefed about it and we adopted new safety procedures in handling the the heatshields post flight.
We had to wear tyveck suits and gloves, with full face respirators until the damaged blankets could be removed disposed of properly and replaced with a new blanket. I think collectors should be aware of what hazards may lie inside.
posted 08-12-2016 04:14 PM
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