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From: ijk@hropus.UUCP (Ihor J. Kinal)
Newsgroups: net.columbia
Subject: Re: Challenger SRBs
Message-ID: <247@hropus.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 5-Feb-86 15:20:10 EST
Article-I.D.: hropus.247
Posted: Wed Feb  5 15:20:10 1986
Date-Received: Thu, 6-Feb-86 21:13:58 EST
References: <4270@mhuxd.UUCP>, <6800009@uiucdcsb>
Organization: Bell Labs, Holmdel, NJ
Lines: 14

It occurred to me that the design of the SRB's did not actually
necessitate them being totally demolished upon destruct - insted, just blow
the tops off - then the exhaust would come out of the top as well,
since the SRBs are hollow.  This would stop them in short oreder.  In
today's NY Times, I read that I was correct (except that the destruct
mechanism also blows away the nozzles at the base).

The parachute that was seen was attached to the cone that was blown
off.  Of course, since the boosters are no longer connected to parachutes,
they hit the ocean at terminal velocity, so it's not clear how intact
they still might be.

Ihor Kinal
ihnp4!houxm!hropus!ijk