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From: rodean@hpfcla.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.columbia
Subject: Re: Re: Challenger SRBs
Message-ID: <45300003@hpfclo.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 1-Feb-86 15:48:00 EST
Article-I.D.: hpfclo.45300003
Posted: Sat Feb  1 15:48:00 1986
Date-Received: Tue, 11-Feb-86 05:26:06 EST
References: <958@ihuxx.UUCP>
Organization: 01 Feb 86 13:48:00 MST
Lines: 9

The self-destruct mechanism on the SRB blows off the top of the rocket
and ignites the fuel at that end (i.e. burning a candle at both ends).
This cancels the thrust and the rocket burns its fuel twice as fast with
no acceleration. The SRBs are not 'destroyed' in the usual sense, and
provided that they can be found, ought to be in fairly good condition
since they were able to continue flight after the explosion.

Bruce Rodean
{ihnp4|hplabs}!hpfcla!rodean