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From: barb@oliven.UUCP (Barbara Jernigan)
Newsgroups: net.columbia
Subject: Re: Challenger SRBs
Message-ID: <504@oliven.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 3-Feb-86 18:44:58 EST
Article-I.D.: oliven.504
Posted: Mon Feb  3 18:44:58 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 7-Feb-86 08:26:54 EST
References: Challenger SRBs <4270@mhuxd.UUCP> <958@ihuxx.UUCP>
Organization: Olivetti ATC; Cupertino, Ca
Lines: 15

> It's my belief that NASA Launch Operations will regret that they
> intentionally destroyed the SRBs.  As I understand that situation,
> there was only a POSSIBILITY that the SRBs could have fallen on
> populated areas.  

That POSSIBILITY is enough.  It is one thing to have the Challenger
blow up killing seven who knew the risks  (I grieve them, how I grieve
them)  -- it is quite another to have an SRB take out a major section
of a city/town.  THAT would have put the nails in the coffin.

I, too, regret that the SRBs were not recovered -- but I do not criticize
NASA's decision.  It *may* have been too conservative -- but I, for one, 
wouldn't want to second-guess Chance.

Barb