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From: dietz@SLB-DOLL.CSNET (Paul Dietz)
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Shuttle...
Message-ID: <8601310405.AA06776@s1-b.arpa>
Date: Thu, 30-Jan-86 21:24:16 EST
Article-I.D.: s1-b.8601310405.AA06776
Posted: Thu Jan 30 21:24:16 1986
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I hear on CNN that there is some evidence that the far SRB (the one
behind the shuttle in the videotapes) split a seam, causing 6000 degree
F gas to slice into the ET.  Apparently NASA has some photos from other
angles showing this.  If so, there should be evidence in the guidance
telemetry, as this should have caused anomalous accelerations on the
vehicle in the seconds before the end.  Too bad the SRB's were exploded,
although perhaps pieces of the casings can be recovered.

If I'm not mistaken these SRB's had filament wound composite casings.
There was a test failure recently in the composite casings to be used
with Atlantis from Vandenburg (the casing failed at 120% rather than
140% of maximum pressure).  Was this the same kind of casing?

If the SRB was at fault then NASA will be in good shape.  The SRB's can
be strengthened with some loss of payload capacity.  DOD will be upset,
though, since lighter SRB's are needed for getting into polar orbit
with payload.  Morton Thiokol will be in deep trouble.

To test damage to the external tank NASA may want to fly one into orbit
for inspection.  This might be a backdoor route to a tank farm (I'm
trying to be optimistic).