Space History News space history and collectibles feature articles Messages discussion forums about space history and collecting Sightings calendar of worldwide astronaut appearances buySPACE marketplace for space artifacts, toys and memorabilia Resources collecting guides and selected space history documents Websites related space memorabilia and history websites - The Editor's Collection - Artifacts space flown equipment and ground support hardware Autographs who's who in space: the first 25 years of space exploration Books galleys, drafts, and advanced reading copies Medallions flown coins and those minted with flown metal Philatelics first day ceremony programs and flown stamps

External Tank Cross Section Mission: N/A (engineering sample)   Comment: The loss of Columbia was caused by a piece of ET foam that impacted and resulted in a breach of the left wing This cross section of the Space Shuttle External Tank's (ET) surface reveals the half inch thick cork/epoxy layer covered with 1 to 2 inches of spray-on foam that prevents the super-cold cryogenic fuels inside the ET from forming ice on its outside. The polyisocyanurate foam also safes the ET's aluminum skin from aerodynamic heat and keeps its internal propellants at an acceptable temperature. back to Artifacts © 1999-2008 collectSPACE.com All rights reserved. Questions? E-mail contact@collectspace.com