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General Science => General Science => Topic started by: neilep on 13/11/2005 20:09:13

Title: Dry Ice on rockets on take off !
Post by: neilep on 13/11/2005 20:09:13
Are the astronauts enjoying a cocktail party just before lift off and when lift off happens are they winding down the window and chucking all their ice out ?....or...can you tell me the real reason why dry-ice is seen falling off rockets when they lift off ?

thanks and cheers...top ho !

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Title: Re: Dry Ice on rockets on take off !
Post by: another_someone on 14/11/2005 02:03:57
Another pure guess – cryogenic fuel tanks.  The shuttles main motors (not the boosters) use burn oxygen and hydrogen, both of which are stored in liquid form in cryogenic tanks.
Title: Re: Dry Ice on rockets on take off !
Post by: daveshorts on 14/11/2005 09:04:24
Yep that is about it, the cryogenic fuel tanks are very very cold (the oxygen -190 odd and the hydrogen even colder) really good insulation is heavy so it isn't that well insulated. The cold causes  water and possibly some Carbon dioxide to condese forming ice. The famous foam that was causing all the problems was put there to try and reduce the amount of ice forming which will make realy big holes in your orbiter if it hits.
Title: Re: Dry Ice on rockets on take off !
Post by: neilep on 14/11/2005 13:15:38
You mean they're not having a cocktail party ?...well that's good then. I've heard drinking and driving is bad .....thank you both for clearing that up.

Cheers


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