Think of the smell, you haven't thought of the smell

“The Russians used a durian”…

Mechanics would be passing out due to how bad the hanger bay smells.

Even we humans can withstand 3000°C for a short time.

If we want to be entirely pedantic, everything can withstand any destructive condition for at least one plank time.

I think I saw the video of it, they did it by holding a blow torch to it.

But many videos like that are misleading because the person filming it doesn't know how blow torches work. They always hold the torch RIGHT up against the thing they're trying to burn, but you barely get any heat when you use it like that. You have to hold it a few inches back, right at the tip of the inner jet. That's where the hottest point is.

Steel can withstand much longer.

Undoubtedly.

And is probably more willing than a human.

..willing? You think metal alloys have agency and capacity for consent? 😄

The meme is clear what's not to get

also, Leidenfrost effect

This is actually one of the principles that is causing building codes to start accommodating load bearing timber in tall buildings. Even though wood is combustible, wood beams that are thick enough can withstand fire for long periods of time. They're still working out what the different tests and standards should be, but some jurisdictions have approved timber skyscrapers.

so you're saying Artemis III will have a durian heat shield

Is that…durian charcoal?

I recall reading somewhere that early generation ablative heat shields were made of cork, so that phrase is not as outlandish as it might sound to you, at least to me.

Smells bad, tastes good!

Smells like sewerage (which is why they're banned in most hotels, planes, transit and enclosed spaces where they're common), tastes like a fancy dessert. It's a complex flavour that's honestly unique, and they don't all taste the same - various sub-varieties exist.

To me the most consistent flavour of them is a very creamy mild honeydew-melon and vanilla flavour, with a dash of banana. Very pleasantly floral and generally quite sweet.

Given that description you'd think I'd love them but I actually can't stand the smell and look (bro the fruit flesh looks like yellow turds), I've only ever eaten them under duress haha.

I've only had it once or twice. It kind of resembles a mango and a banana mixed in flavor. Maybe like 75% mango and 25% banana. I was quite fond of it, but unfortunately the stickiness afterwards was quite unpleasant and never came off no matter how much I washed.

It didn't taste as bad as it smelled, but I really wasn't a fan of it's fatty texture. I'll pass next time.

I grow up with durian, kinda depend on how well your tastebud like to be challenged, because it's not stink like smelly drain(that award goes to stinky tofu). Once you overcome the smell and the mushy texture it's full of unique flavour depend on the cultivar. It's probably the most unique fruit coming from south east asia, and SEA have a tons of unique fruits.

Old stuff and let's say sticky stuff smells horrid, but actually now when you eat it and it tastes good the smell is less horrible since you know it tastes good. It's a nicer association afterwards