Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site pecnos.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxt!houxm!hjuxa!petsd!pecnos!rod From: rod@pecnos.UUCP (Robert O. Domitz) Newsgroups: net.columbia Subject: Range Safety System cause Challanger Explosion? Message-ID: <158@pecnos.UUCP> Date: Wed, 26-Mar-86 16:40:11 EST Article-I.D.: pecnos.158 Posted: Wed Mar 26 16:40:11 1986 Date-Received: Fri, 28-Mar-86 05:30:53 EST Reply-To: rod@pecnos.UUCP (Robert O. Domitz) Organization: Concurrent Computer Corporation Lines: 43 Keywords: Challanger, RSS, EE_TIMES, explosion, explosives Summary: Two volitatile explosiver were within a dozen feet of failed seal The ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING TIMES, March 24, 1985, contains an article entitled "Did On-Board Self-Destruct System Cause Space Shuttle Explosion?" According to this article, the range safety system uses a very powerful explosive, HMX (cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine), as the destruct mechanism. This explosive has an extremely low ignition point of 350 degrees F!! This is lower then the ignition point of paper (450 F)! The article shows, in color, where each of the explosive packages are located on the solid rocket boosters and on the external tank. On the external tank, the explosive is a twenty-foot long shaped charge which is intended to split the liquid hydrogen section of the tank. This strip of explosive is located in a open tray running down the right side of the tank. This strip was located only thirteen to fifteen feet from the failed booster seal. The article goes on to note that near the failed booster seal are the three struts which attach the solid rocket boosters to the external tank. These struts contain a different explosive, NHX, which is used to separate the boosters from the external tank. NHX has a thermal ignition point of about 1000 degrees F. Had this happened, it would support the thesis that the lower mounting point failed and swiveled the solid rocket booster into the top of the external tank. According to the article, the flames escaping from the failed booster seal were superheated to approximately 6000 degrees F. According to the article, either or both of the explosives could have detonated. Robert Domitz ...{decvax,ucbvax,ihnp4}!vax135!petsd!pecnos!rod Concurrent Computer Corporation (a Perkin-Elmer company) 106 Apple Street Tinton Falls, New Jersey 07724 201-758-7296 The opinions expressed above are totally disclaimed by my employer, my wife, my dog, and myself. (donchajustlovit?!)