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From: knudsen@ihwpt.UUCP (mike knudsen)
Newsgroups: net.columbia
Subject: Good Shuttle News
Message-ID: <681@ihwpt.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 6-Feb-86 12:36:18 EST
Article-I.D.: ihwpt.681
Posted: Thu Feb  6 12:36:18 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 7-Feb-86 21:26:12 EST
Distribution: net
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 34

Some positive news items I got yesterday (Wed):

(1) The SRB destruct charges only blow off the nozzle and
front end, thus relieving and balancing the pressure,
which stops the rocket but leaves most of it intact.
Thus NASA hopes to retrieve the whole thing (both)
in on piece, including the suspected leaky seam.
At least one SRB is believed located in 1000 feet of water.

(2) An amateur photo shows a major leakage plume on
the left SRB as it leaves the fireball.
I can't call this "definite confirmation" of a PRE-explosion
leak as the CBS newscaster did -- that these rockets held
together at all after the blast is impressive.

(3) Newsweek claims that each SRB has its own limited
guidance and steering system, so that the left SRB would
fly resonably straight even with a major leak in the side.
I'm surprised to hear this.  Can anyone in the know comment?

(4) NASA has already retrieved most of the tank destruct ordnance,
unexploded.  Not only does this relieve this system of blame,
but points out the impressive safety of explosives that
were not touched off by the tank explosion and fire.
(However, the recovered stuff was the deto-cord that rips the
tanks open, not the intertank charge that mixes the
two fuels (I think).  I'll be really satisfied when those
charges are found).

(5) The Newsweek article has some speculations that haven't 
been on the net yet.  I didn't find them very likely,
but you should check them out & judge for yourselves.

104% for space exploration -- mike k