Science assessment task:

The substances should be:

able to withstand the heat of the shuttle re-entering the Earths atmosphere

flexible enough to bend when the wings of the shuttle bend

strong enough to stand the vibration of take-off, landing and other movement

light enough to be part of a flying spacecraft

resistant to chemical attack

able to reflect the solar radiation in space.

Part A:
The nozzle of the aircraft:

The nozzle of the spacecraft will be made from the substance (Diamond), Diamond is very
durable. E.g. diamond can withstand heat temperatures up to 3000 degrees, Diamond is
also an allotrope of carbon so it has some similarities to carbons properties. Therefore,
diamond can withstand the heat of entering the earths atmosphere and will keep place
when taking off and taxi. Diamond is also resistant to chemical attacks and can reflects solar
radiation in space. Diamond will be very strong and stiff in space and will be perfect for the
nozzle. There will be double diamond coat so there is more stiffness and so it is more
absorbent to the heat.

The wings of the aircraft:

The wings of the aircraft will be made from the substance (aluminium), aluminium is a heat
shield for the wings, and is used for the wings because of its durabilitys. E.g. Aluminium can
withstand heat up to 1200 degrees, thats why for the wings there will be three coats of
aluminium. Aluminium is also light since it has a low atomic number and is known light. The
substance aluminium will be mixed with PVC pipes so it is more resistant to chemical
attacks. Aluminium can also bend when the wings do, due to its light weight and flexibility.
Therefore, aluminium is a good substance to have as the wings.

The back wing/ radar of the aircraft:

The back wing will be made of titanium; it is a very strong substance and can stay in place.
Titanium can be used because it can withstand heat up to 1600 degrees! So, there will be
two coats of titanium of the back wing so the whole shuttle can withstand heat up to 3000
degrees. It is also light enough to be a great substance and can reflect solar radiation.
Titanium is also resistant to chemical attacks therefore I picked titanium as the substance
for the back wing. It can move left to right easily since it is light weighted and durable.
The main body of the spacecraft:

The main body of the aircraft will be also made of titanium; it can withstand heat to 1500
degrees so there will be two layers of titanium. The body will be resistant to chemical
attacks as well as resistant to solar radiation. The weight would be light and durable. The
body will be very strong due to titaniums atomic number: 22 The aircraft must be light
since the aircraft cant be heavy.

The back wings are made of titanium

The main body is
made from titanium

The wings are made

from aluminium.
Made of diamond

References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/rc-car-general-discussions-179/1074769-does-
aluminum-bend-easy.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_metals
http://www.vinidex.com.au/technical/chemical-resistance/chemical-resistance-of-pvc-
pipes/
http://geology.com/minerals/gold/uses-of-gold.shtml
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Material_properties_of_diamond
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_radiation_management
https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/index.html
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/how-to/how-durable-carbon-fiber-answers