Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!bellcore!rutgers!ukma!mailrus!uwmcsd1!marque!studsys!jetzer
From: jetzer@studsys.mu.edu (jetzer)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: Shuttle computer reprogramming
Summary: SRBs, actually
Keywords: shuttle, wind, programming
Message-ID: <248@studsys.mu.edu>
Date: 1 Oct 88 14:55:55 GMT
References: <6689@nsc.nsc.com> <1543@hp-sdd.HP.COM>
Organization: Marquette University - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Lines: 16

> So now I wonder why NASA decided to stay with O rings
> at all. I seem to recall in the days right after Challenger, seeing
> news stories about boosters. The Air Force had made boosters for use
> at Vandenberg that were all one piece. I think they were a type of
> fibre glass, and spun into a cylindrical shape. These were lighter,
> therefor allowing a heavier payload. What's the story?


As I recall, NASA has been working on redesigned boosters for quite some
time (before the Challenger disaster?).  However, the boosters won't be
ready for quite some time yet.  Rather than ground the program until the
new boosters are ready, NASA has redesigned the old boosters, incorporating
as many safety features as necessary to be as safe as possible.
-- 
Mike Jetzer
"Hack first, ask questions later."