Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!steinmetz!beowulf!bownesrm
From: bownesrm@beowulf.UUCP ( Stowaway aboard the Long Shot)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: Payload of shuttle flight directly after last Challenger.
Message-ID: <1054@beowulf.UUCP>
Date: 6 Feb 88 19:24:32 GMT
References: <347@flatline.UUCP> <3212@killer.UUCP> <365@flatline.UUCP>
Organization: Function Consulting, Albany New York
Lines: 17
Summary: Pu in space. Losing it in a hostile environment (explosion)


	Well, as someone said, payload reactors have been present in failed
launches. These things are not built out of tinfoil folks. It was recycled 
and used again. (I beleive only the pu was reused, all other components were
ok but replaced anyway.) Small packages built right are capable of withstanding
enormously hostile environments. Look at flight recorders. (before
the oxyacetalyne comes out, I know flight recorders don't contain Pu)
There are however other packages designed for high temp/pressure situations.

	People seem to panic when nuclear items come up. Why? Will it kill 
you any more dead than a bus? The Audi 5000 following your Pinto? Treat it
with care and respect, not panic.

bob

PS: sorry if I sounded a little evangalistic. If you wanna flame, send it
to me, not the net.