Why are the majority of space rockets made in white instead of other colors?
In: Engineering
Plus it would be a waste of paint. After so many years the radiation from the sun would turn it white anyway
Most of them use at least one cryogenic propellant, like liquid oxygen. White paint reflects light, which helps to keep it cold and therefore minimizes boil-off.
I’m not sure for rockets, but I know planes are white mostly for two reasons : white paint is cheaper and it’s easier to spot technical defects on a white surface.