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From: KDA101@psuvm.psu.edu (KeithPetto Alexander)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: Shuttle engine failure on the pad
Message-ID: <90075.185211KDA101@psuvm.psu.edu>
Date: 16 Mar 90 23:52:11 GMT
References: <140@caslon.cs.arizona.edu>
Distribution: usa
Organization: Penn State University
Lines: 19


    Let's see, there are explosive bolts holding down the SRBs (4 on each),
but they are designed to go off at exactly ignition so I don't think they
will hold the broken SRB down.  This suggests that, since there is still
more thrust than weight, the whole thing will lift off the pad.  More
problems now though, it might tip one way or the other.  Assuming it clears
the tower, sideways if necessary, I would think they might have it under
enough control to get it going up.  They have to go up a ways (10000 or
20000, someone correct me) before they can turn around for the Abort to
Launch Site, they do need some space.  My completely un-educated guess is
that it wouldn't kill anybody, just shake the whole thing up quite a bit.
Again.
                                       Petto :->

"You weren't like that before the beard."  -- Q

Petto is still an AI program run amuck, his opinions are the result
of a deranged program from a less deranged programmer.
kda101@psuvm.bitnet