After watching one of my Apollo DVDs (the Nova To the Moon), a friend asked why the CM is white during lift off, but shiny metal in space. We both figured it was some kind of covering, but I'd never heard of it specifically, aside from the abort tower cone on the very top.

It took me minutes to Google pictures, diagrams, and even old archived discussions here of the Boost Protective Cover. Question answered.

Why can't HBs do this? I mean, they obviously have the Internet :wink: .

Seriously, some do come here, aborting a fall to the Dark Side. But not enough, it seems. I mean, the information is here, on sites like this, and Clavius (thanks, Jay Utah!).