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From: ATTENBERGER%ORN.MFENET@LLL-MFE.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: shuttle explosion
Message-ID: <8602031929.AA10257@s1-b.arpa>
Date: Mon, 3-Feb-86 14:30:00 EST
Article-I.D.: s1-b.8602031929.AA10257
Posted: Mon Feb  3 14:30:00 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 5-Feb-86 05:00:47 EST
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Organization: The ARPA Internet
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   I am new to this list, so forgive me if this is old stuff.
Has anyone looked into the possibility of the shuttle explosion
being due an electrical discharge between the liquid fuel tank
and the shuttle?  If the shuttle and solid fuel tanks are connected
by grounding straps to the liquid fuel tank, then read no further
and send me an enlightening message.  However the shuttle is
covered with non-conductive tiles, and it seems possible that the
entire shuttle and booster system acts like a capacitor, especially
in low-humidity conditions.  The charging mechanism would be due
to the shuttle having an exhaust, while the liquid fuel section
does not.  If the exhaust stream is highly ionized (I dont know
if it is), then the electrons might stream down the pressure
gradient faster than the more massive ions, leaving the shuttle
with a positive charge relative to the liquid fuel tank.
A large enough spark might weaken a very cold seam or even directly
heat enough liquid hydrogen to rupture the containment system.