Foamologists

Is this astrogel ?
Maybe something bouncy or melt like frozen soap bubbles would work ?

Silly question: Why don't they apply the foam to the inside of the tank?
Missed the launch yesterday, and as I watched CNN throughout the evening one would think no other news was happening other than a bunch of democrats bitching at each other. Still another reason to go right to NASA's website and ignore watching CNN for any 'news'...

Mike, the foam is on the outside to prevent the formation of ice which could do far more damage than a piece of foam, were it to hit the orbiter. Putting the foam inside would not prevent ice formation on the outside due to the extremely cold fuel and oxidizer which are about -430ºF and -250ºF respectively.

Good question about putting insulation on the inside of the tank. This would do an even better job of keeping the ice off of the outer surface of the tank because the supercold liquid propellants would be directly insulated from the metal tank. The problem that follows is that small particles of foam could possibly erode and get inside the turbomachinery of the engines. This could be very bad.

Astrogel? What is world is that about? I have heard of aerogel material which makes a very good insulation.

If i understood this correctly..there is not too much concern with the lost foam? Wasn't this blamed for the cause of the failed mission a few years back?
Hope all is well

It is my understanding there are two tanks (liquid oxygen and hydrogen) within the external tank? If the foam is inside the external tank I would think that would insulate just as well. The foam would not be in contact with the fuel and would not get into the engines.

Mike-I think to put foam inside the tank is a cost issue. To engineer foam that would work inside would cost $$$. Remember we won't be flying the shuttle soon, so new RND on an old platform is something that powers that be don't wish to do very much.

        
Use very light Astrogel, held together by same material as women's stockings.

Design it layer by layer. Hire a Structural Engineer experienced in Maidenform Invisible Options design.

Nobody noticed the part about the foam "accelerating"? When the foam breaks off the tank, it decelerates by air resistance. It only appears to be "accelerating" from the viewpoint of the rest of the tank which is actually accelerating.

Can't we come up with an epoxy type spray coating for the exterior of the foam on the shuttle side? The weight would cut the payload, but there would be a better chance of the shuttle surviving.