Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site mnetor.UUCP
Path: utzoo!utcs!mnetor!fred
From: fred@mnetor.UUCP (Fred Williams)
Newsgroups: net.sci,net.space
Subject: Re: Would a candle burn ...
Message-ID: <1688@mnetor.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 2-Aug-85 10:02:07 EDT
Article-I.D.: mnetor.1688
Posted: Fri Aug  2 10:02:07 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 2-Aug-85 11:44:58 EDT
References: <53@ssc-vax.UUCP> <1273@utcsri.UUCP> <534@leadsv.UUCP> <65@ssc-vax.UUCP> <440@olivee.UUCP>
Reply-To: fred@mnetor.UUCP (Fred Williams)
Distribution: net
Organization: Computer X (CANADA) Ltd., Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Lines: 23
Xref: utcs net.sci:403 net.space:3852
Summary: 

In article <440@olivee.UUCP> gnome@olivee.UUCP (Gary Traveis) writes:
(from somebody.)...
>> The current space program uses a 100% O2 atmosphere.  If you lit a
>> flame in such an atmosphere, would all the dust and other random
>> particles ignite in the presence of the flame?
>> 
>
>Uh, wrong.  The atmosphere is far from 100% O2.  Remember the
>accident that killed four astronauts?  That was the last time
>pure O2 was used, and that was many years ago.

    That was the last time O2 was used at full atmospheric pressure.
I had been under the impression that afterwards, on launch they
used 80% nitrogen & 20% oxygen. The mixture then reduced to pure
oxygen at much lower pressure during boost phase.  In the past few
days there have been several postings declaring an O2-N2 mixture is
standard throughout shuttle flights. This could very well be the case.
I could be out of date. 
    Regardless, the risk of fire from a candle experiment would not
be increased by the shuttle air. I don't think.

Cheers,		Fred Williams