Starship (UFO) brakes and cross-drilling

[Joe Yakubik <75363.2524@CompuServe.COM>]

My understanding of crossdrilling was also that it allowed the escape of gas for
better pad-disc contact.  I don't see how the "cheese grater effect" would be
beneficial and it certainly wouldn't improve pad life.

When you start thinking about it:  Higher friction from better contact means
more heat energy must be dissipated,  I'm sure some of it goes with the
vaporised brake pads.  Thermodynamically, drilled rotors are probably a wash.
Total braking effectiveness is something different -- rotational inertia,
unspung mass, just looking cooler, etc.  I'm sure there have been studies done
that measure the disc/pad temp so I stand ready to retract my extremely
unscientific gut feeling.

Joe Yakubik