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From: space@ucbvax.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Re: Shuttle Ditching
Message-ID: <8602061611.AA27019@alvin>
Date: Thu, 6-Feb-86 11:11:36 EST
Article-I.D.: alvin.8602061611.AA27019
Posted: Thu Feb  6 11:11:36 1986
Date-Received: Sun, 9-Feb-86 06:17:43 EST
References: <8602032227.AA10998@s1-b.arpa>
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Organization: Shipley Co.
Lines: 25

Speaking from a position of relative ignorance, I would like to raise
the following points about shuttle aborts:
   
   The SRBs cannot be turned off, therefore the suttle would have to
   survive the exhaust.

   Suppose the shuttle decelerates from drag at 1G, and the SRBs can
   power the tank away at 3G.  Then at least 4 seconds are required to
   let the shuttle reach your 1000 foot separation (which I think is
   generous, but not *safe*.

   There should be no trouble attaining proper glide characteristics
   aerodynamically.  Being miles up, at Mach 3, an intact shuttle could
   do 'loops', or whatever.  Getting to a specific point is made more
   difficult by time consumed in rolling over, etc, but I suspect that
   only a very limited window avoids the ocean.

   Survival in a ditching may be determined by the payload (better glide
   if nothing else).  I see lots of problems in trying to empty the
   cargo bay.

   To detach from the ET without igniting fuel will require sealing the
   lines at the ET, waiting for them to drain, and then blowing the
   shuttle free.  This may require a significant amount of your
   remaining allotment.