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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!ihuxx!eec3
From: eec3@ihuxx.UUCP (e. cumberland)
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Re: Shuttle escape question answered
Message-ID: <961@ihuxx.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 5-Feb-86 02:38:16 EST
Article-I.D.: ihuxx.961
Posted: Wed Feb  5 02:38:16 1986
Date-Received: Thu, 6-Feb-86 21:35:22 EST
References: <814@decwrl.DEC.COM>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 11

> liftoff.  That is an AVERAGE speed of 500 mph (assuming it went straight up,
> which it did not).  If you assume linear acceleration (not true either, but
> what the hell), that means that the shuttle was going 1000 MPH when it blew. 
> Want to guess at the chances of surviving an ejection at 1000MPH at 52000 feet?

The speed of the Challenger at the moment of the blast was quoted in
the news as 1997 MPH.  Although the air is much less dense at 52000
feet, to be thrust into the air stream passing at that speed would
probably have the same result as hitting a brick wall at 70.  

				Edwin E. Cumberland III