PPG donates paint for final space shuttle external tank journey

PPG helped the California Science Center Foundation prepare the final space shuttle external tank for a six-week ocean voyage by donating a military-grade paint matching the tank’s foam covering to enhance appearance and protect against elements during its journey by barge from NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans to Los Angeles.

Cosmetic restoration

Upon arrival in California, ET-94 – the only existing flight-qualified external tank – will undergo cosmetic restoration for display at the California Science Center along with the space shuttle Endeavour.

Desothane HS/CA 8211 series military and defence topcoat manufactured at PPG’s Mojave, California, plant was tinted to match the burnt-orange foam by PPG aerospace coatings colour experts. Loose foam was removed from ET-94 at Michoud and the PPG topcoat was applied by roller and brush to cover gaps for a consistent appearance.

According to Duane Utter, PPG Global Segment Manager for space and defence coatings, PPG was asked to supply the paint by Dennis R Jenkins, Project Director overseeing the science centre’s new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, who was a contract engineer for the shuttle programme and knew PPG was the original primer supplier.

"PPG was a proud partner in the space shuttle programme as the supplier of the only primer qualified for the external tanks,” Utter said. "This primer passed cryogenic and corrosion testing and met requirements for foam adhesion. After accepting the opportunity to supply the topcoat for the historic ET-94 journey, we matched the colour of the foam and our sample was approved by the science centre. We recommended Desothane HS/CA 8211 series topcoat because of its matte appearance and durability.”

Corrosion resistance primer

PPG’s primer, applied to the metal tanks for corrosion resistance and enhanced topcoat adhesion, was Desoto 515×346 epoxy primer, Utter said.

Jenkins said it was important for ET-94 to look as nice as possible. "We wanted ET-94 to be protected from water on its voyage and to look good during its long journey to the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center. The California Science Center is very grateful for the support provided by PPG, one of the original external tank suppliers, in helping us with our work that will enable people to see an important part of the shuttle programme.”

The 65,000lb, 154ft-long ET-94 was loaded on to a barge in New Orleans and transported through the Panama Canal for delivery to Marina del Rey, California, riding its last leg through the streets of Los Angeles to the California Science Center.

Lockheed Martin built the external tanks, which carried propellants to power the shuttle’s main engines. Lockheed Martin delivered ET-94 in 2001 to NASA, where the tank was stored. The original standard-weight tanks were replaced by lightweight tanks and then super-lightweight tanks.

For more information about the Endeavour exhibit and California Science Center, visit www.californiasciencecenter.org