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From: REM%IMSSS@SU-AI.ARPA (Robert Elton Maas)
Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: Welcome policy changes for STS
Message-ID: <8610200750.AA09364@s1-b.arpa>
Date: Mon, 20-Oct-86 03:52:27 EDT
Article-I.D.: s1-b.8610200750.AA09364
Posted: Mon Oct 20 03:52:27 1986
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HS> Date: 7 Oct 86 22:21:41 GMT
HS> From: clyde!watmath!utzoo!henry@caip.rutgers.edu  (Henry Spencer)
HS> Subject: space news from Sept 1 AW&ST

HS> ... and a general policy
HS> of trying to maintain both the Shuttle and expendables, and trying to
HS> make critical payloads compatible with both.

My personal opinion is they should have done that all along and I applaud
the change in policy at this time.

HS> First test of SRB joints using a new test rig at Morton Thiokol.  The
HS> test setup is essentially a shortened SRB built out of fewer segments.
HS> Initial tests will use the old joint design for calibration, then new
HS> features will be tested.

Testing vertically but with fewer segments sounds like a reasonable
compromise. Calibrating on old design first then comparing with new
design sounds like good procedure and I applaud the decision.