Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 (Tek) 9/28/84 based on 9/17/84; site tekred.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!tektronix!tekred!joels
From: joels@tekred.UUCP (Joel Swank)
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Re: SRB O-rings
Message-ID: <449@tekred.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 12-Feb-86 11:21:43 EST
Article-I.D.: tekred.449
Posted: Wed Feb 12 11:21:43 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 14-Feb-86 07:24:28 EST
References: <8602101550.AA13983@s1-b.arpa>
Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR
Lines: 16

>                    I know the fuel is repacked and it's cleaned up but I can't
> believe it isn't more stringent than that.  They did show one guy from NASA
> (Jesse Moore, i think) saying that it was indeed an "analmolus (sp) item and
> thoroughly worked."  This would tend to clear them at first glance, but why
> were they not replaced?  Are the gaskets expensive or difficult to replace?
> 
According to testimony before the commission: The O-rings are replaced each
time. Everything is replaced except the steel casing, and if that has any
visable damage it is also replaced. The casings are also spot checked with
X-ray. The joints in question are like those used on the Titan SRBs except
the Titans have only one O-ring. This stuf is not new technology. They should
not have failed unless some unusual conditions existed. I think the
temperature question is being glossed over also.

Joel Swank
Tektronix, Redmond Oregon