White makes for a better heat reflecting surface, a vital consideration when re-entering the Earth's atmosphere at high speed. Black, on the other hand, absorbs heat, which is why you don't see many black fridges outside of student flats.
Another advantage to the Space Shuttle being white is that it provides good contrast for all those TV pictures of space walks that are beamed back to Earth.
Black, of course, would be a sexier colour, and might make the Space Shuttle appear to be a little bit thinner. But with those exhaust ports at the back, it's bum would look big in any colour.
Another advantage to the Space Shuttle being white is that it provides good contrast for all those TV pictures of space walks that are beamed back to Earth.
Black, of course, would be a sexier colour, and might make the Space Shuttle appear to be a little bit thinner. But with those exhaust ports at the back, it's bum would look big in any colour.
