Xref: utzoo sci.space:5607 sci.space.shuttle:727
Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.space.shuttle
Path: utzoo!henry
From: henry@utzoo.uucp (Henry Spencer)
Subject: Re: space news from April 11 AW&ST (ejection seats)
Message-ID: <1988May14.221603.15920@utzoo.uucp>
Organization: U of Toronto Zoology
References: <1988May9.004935.49@utzoo.uucp>, <31710@linus.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 14 May 88 22:16:03 GMT

>... Why don't they install explosive-powered
>ejection seats on the shuttle...

It's been thought about; in fact that's what the pilots had for the first
few flights.  The trouble is that ejection seats are heavy and bulky.
There isn't room to provide a full crew with ejection seats.

A secondary problem is that ejection seats introduce their own safety
hazards, since they are dangerous explosive devices.  (People who have
to work around them treat them with great respect.)
-- 
NASA is to spaceflight as            |  Henry Spencer @ U of Toronto Zoology
the Post Office is to mail.          | {ihnp4,decvax,uunet!mnetor}!utzoo!henry