Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!henry
From: henry@utzoo.UUCP (Henry Spencer)
Newsgroups: net.columbia
Subject: Re: SRBs and Flaps
Message-ID: <6465@utzoo.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 4-Mar-86 16:06:15 EST
Article-I.D.: utzoo.6465
Posted: Tue Mar  4 16:06:15 1986
Date-Received: Tue, 4-Mar-86 16:06:15 EST
References: <1402@garfield.columbia.edu>, <86@fai.UUCP>
Organization: U of Toronto Zoology
Lines: 22

> >On the issue of one SRB igniting:
> 
> This may be a stupid question, but what if you blow the SRB loose and
> let it continue on it's merry way alone?...

The orbiter and the tank fall over and go smash.  The SRBs are the only
support for the tank and orbiter on the pad.  I doubt very much that the
assembly would hold together with only one SRB supporting it.

> ... In such a situation, (only one SRB ignites)
> the shuttle probably becomes dangerous to the surrounding area, due to
> the unpredictability of flight direction.  What is the flight officer
> supposed to do in such a case?  Destruct the shuttle? ...

(I assume you mean the Range Safety Officer or equivalent title.)  That's
what he's there for.  Nobody said it was going to be easy.  He gets paid
to stand and watch the successful launches, but he *earns* his pay when
something goes horribly wrong and prompt, perhaps very unpleasant, action
is required.
-- 
				Henry Spencer @ U of Toronto Zoology
				{allegra,ihnp4,linus,decvax}!utzoo!henry