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(Alleged) Photo of the Flight 6 payload bay during reentry
(forum.nasaspaceflight.com)
Image link from NSF forum.
Originally leaked on X (I think), then posted to the SpaceXLounge subreddit by u/mehelponow
I don't think the shuttle is a good example at all.
The reusability was just marketing shtick so a large enough vehicle could be built to launch multiple Hubble-chassis Keyhole satellites for the NSA. (It's probably more accurate to say the Hubble is built on a Keyhole satellite chassis).
Yet the technology it used for the heat shield was very similar to what SpaceX is trying to do with the Ship.
I’ve heard whispers that they are trying a new transpirational heat shield design since the tiles aren’t working out so well.
That would be pretty cool indeed.