Makes sense - plasma sneaks through holes super fast.
I just wonder how attaching the tiles can be so hard. I would understand if it were the tiles themselves delaminating and the top layer falling off - high temperature ceramics aren't known for strength.
But it appears the tile complete with its steel mount is coming detached from the ship. Just weld it on better? Bolt it on? Design better clips? Use some thermite type reaction to weld it on behind the tile so it never comes off again?
Seems like there's a lot of options to try, so how come they've been having issues for so long?
What he said is more concerning than that:
> Right now, we are not resilient to loss of a single tile in most places, as the secondary containment material will probably not survive.
Even one tile lost will probably result in loss of vehicle.