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From: rcpilz@ablnc.ATT.COM (Robert C. Pilz)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Throttling the Challenger
Message-ID: <340@ablnc.ATT.COM>
Date: Thu, 15-Oct-87 12:38:07 EDT
Article-I.D.: ablnc.340
Posted: Thu Oct 15 12:38:07 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 17-Oct-87 10:18:33 EDT
Organization: AT&T, Maitland, Florida
Lines: 22
Keywords: Challenger Throttle


One thing about the crash has been haunting me. When I saw
the replays of the explosion, I heard the commands to the
crew to be at 105% throttle. They acknowledged that. Then they
were told to go to 80% (or so). They acknowledged that. Then
they were told (very quickly) to go back to 105%. At this point,
the explosion happened.
This was never discussed in the national news. At least I never
picked up on it. What were they (the flight people) trying to
do? I have a strong feeling that they knew something was wrong
at that point and were trying to do something? Was the extra
boost supposed to put out the flame? Use up the fuel? Could
that have made things worse? 
Nothing was said. I have not had a chance to read any of the
detailed reports. Is any of this covered/explained in them?
I'm not trying to find someone else to blame, I'm curious
to what extent people in those last few seconds had any ideas
of getting them out of danger. I'm not trying to open new
wounds. But areas like this need to be addressed beyond fixing
the boosters. There need to be better plans to abort the mission.
 
....ihnp4!ablnc!rcpilz