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From: dietz@SLB-DOLL.CSNET (Paul Dietz)
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Shuttle...
Message-ID: <8601311412.AA07928@s1-b.arpa>
Date: Fri, 31-Jan-86 08:31:31 EST
Article-I.D.: s1-b.8601311412.AA07928
Posted: Fri Jan 31 08:31:31 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 1-Feb-86 21:02:48 EST
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Organization: The ARPA Internet
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TDRS has a solid fuel orbital transfer motor; it uses hydrazine for
maneuvering in oribt.

I suggested the shuttle may be militarized because DOD has first dibs
on shuttle capacity, and because traditionally military pilots are
subjected to more risks than civilians.  Also, NASA may not be able to
justify risking astronauts' lives just for commercial satellite
launches.

CNN's report on the SRB is apparently premature.  What NASA has found,
according to the NY Times, is a white hot spot on the ET in enhanced
images.  This could be an SRB jet, or could be a hydrogen flame on the
ET.  If it is a hydrogen flame then I would think the likely failure
mechanism would be progressive melting of the tank structure leading
to a run-away fuel leak and eventual failure.