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From: dsmith@hplabsc.UUCP (David Smith)
Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: Re: Pop-top SRB's
Message-ID: <758@hplabsc.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 15-Oct-86 17:02:34 EDT
Article-I.D.: hplabsc.758
Posted: Wed Oct 15 17:02:34 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 15-Oct-86 23:56:59 EDT
References: <861014-135105-2695@Xerox>
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Laboratories
Lines: 19

> This [abort] order pops the tops of the SRB's off and away from the
> orbiter.  Reverse thrust nozzles are now exposed and the SRB's top ends
> are ignited.  The thrust of the already burning ends are effectively
> countered allowing the orbiter to detach before the SRB's buckle and
> submit to a destruct order along with the ET.

Based on what AW&ST said about the IUS/TDRSS failure (to the effect that
continued chamber pressure is necessary to support combustion), maybe
blowing the top off would extinguish the fire.  Note that the SRB is
hollow and burns from the inside out along its whole length.

But if blowing the cap doesn't extinguish the motor, I doubt it would help.
If the orbiter lets go, it will pivot around the rear attachment points
and break up, as previously noted in this forum.  If the SRBs are
jettisoned, the orbiter and tank must fly through the plume.  If nothing
is cut loose, the front-end exhaust from the SRBs will impinge on the
oxygen tank.

			David Smith