>>514096783

(total theory follows)
I think they are allowing it to burn though in the places where they are testing tiles. Because they don't want the tanks to burn through they are removing tiles in the front section.

If you look at the ss10 landing, notice the heat tiles are smeared with gold / rust. I think that actually is rust. I think steel was vaporizing on the surface from their test locations, oxidizing in the atmosphere and being deposited on the tiles. I don't think they show the interior because the glowing spots and burning holes would freak the fuck out of people.