Space Shuttle status

Hardware considerations and the orbital flight test program of the Space Shuttle are discussed, including reference to the Space Shuttle main engine, payload bay doors, TV cameras for flight inspection, and launch crew escape schemes. Particular attention is given to the thermal protection system consisting of 32,000 tiles composed of approximately 3% pure silica fibers and 97% air, which has a design requirement of keeping the basic aluminum skin below 350 F for a surface temperature of 2700 F.