The Solid Rocket Boosters on each side of the ShuttleΓÇÖs External Tank are recovered after each flight for reuse on other Space Shuttle missions. One problem engineers had in refurbishing the boosters was finding a way to strip away multiple layers of tough, removal-resistant paint and thermal protection material, without damaging the booster's casing. Shuttle engineers developed a water jet tool capable of slicing through the thermal protection material using a regulated jet stream that could strip paint and primer beneath the outer protective coating, one layer at a time. This tool can also be used in de-coating turbine engine components, airframe components, large aerospace hardware, ships and other mechanical devices.
