Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!ucsd!nosc!crash!pro-canaveral.cts.com!nick
From: nick@pro-canaveral.cts.com (Nick Thomas)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: Shuttle question
Message-ID: <6106@crash.cts.com>
Date: 5 Dec 90 09:37:00 GMT
Sender: root@crash.cts.com
Lines: 28

During preparations for STS-26 in 1988, they ran an all-up sim of an RTLS
abort.

The ascent phase through SRB sep went smoothly. After sep, Main Engine 1 shut
down and CapCom J.O. Creighton called up, "Discovery, abort RTLS; push the
pushbutton.".

The abort was initiated and they pressed on to the Powered Pitch Around Phase.
After pitch around, Creighton called up, "Discovery, we show engine 2 in
electrical lock-up.". The #1 engine was now stuck at 104%.

RCS fuel was dumped, MECO achieved and the ET was jettisoned. They threw a
final Nav failure at the crew before the sim was successfully concluded.

It was only a sim, but those of us who were listening had a serious case of
the white knuckles.

Some are of the opinion that the vehicle could not endure the structural loads
during powered pitch around.

Whatever the questions may be, let's hope it never comes to that.

Nick Thomas

ProLine:  nick@pro-canaveral
Internet: nick@pro-canaveral.cts.com
UUCP:     crash!pro-canaveral!nick
ARPA:     crash!pro-canaveral!nick@nosc.mil


Brought to you by Super Global Mega Corp .com