Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.3 4.3bsd-beta 6/6/85; site ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!ucbvax!slb-doll.CSNET!dietz
From: dietz@SLB-DOLL.CSNET (Paul Dietz)
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: RTG Explosion Danger
Message-ID: <8603211416.AA03486@s1-b.arpa>
Date: Fri, 21-Mar-86 08:17:06 EST
Article-I.D.: s1-b.8603211416.AA03486
Posted: Fri Mar 21 08:17:06 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 22-Mar-86 22:39:55 EST
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Organization: The ARPA Internet
Lines: 8

The next (?) issue of AWST gave some additional information on the
RTG's.  It seems the Challenger explosion generated pressures of 200-400
psi, not the 10-100 as previously reported.  Also, shrapnel may
be the most important cause of RTG rupture.  A test done in the
Southwest with a very large conventional explosion included a RTG
mockup.  The overpressure was not measured due to the destruction of the
pressure measuring device, but the RTG mockup was reportedly blown to
pieces and only 70% of it was recovered.