1 Presented by: Allan J. McDonald Aerospace Consultant & Author ATK Thiokol (Retired) Former Director Space Shuttle SRM Project : TRUTH, LIES AND O-RINGS: INSIDE THE SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER DISASTER
Jun 17, 2015
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Presented by:
Allan J. McDonaldAerospace Consultant & Author
ATK Thiokol (Retired)Former Director Space Shuttle SRM Project
Presented by:
Allan J. McDonaldAerospace Consultant & Author
ATK Thiokol (Retired)Former Director Space Shuttle SRM Project
:
TRUTH, LIES AND O-RINGS: INSIDE THE SPACE SHUTTLE
CHALLENGER DISASTER
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TWO LOST SPACE SHUTTLES
STS-51L Challenger
Launch: January 28, 1986
Time: 16:38 GMT
STS-107 Columbia
Launch: January 16, 2003
Time: 15:39 GMT
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PRE-LAUNCH ICE ON PAD
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FIRST EVIDENCE OF JOINT LEAK
Leak at T + 0.678 Seconds
LIFTOFF
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JOINT LEAK REOPENS IN FLIGHT
Joint Leak Restarts T + 59 Seconds
Joint Plume VisibleT + 60 Seconds
MAXIMUM DYNAMIC PRESSURE AND WIND SHEAR
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T PLUS 78 SECONDS: DEBRIS
Orbiter WingOrbiter Wing
SSME PodSSME Pod
Crew CabinCrew Cabin
Recovered RH SRB Aft Field Joint
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DUPLICATION OF CHALLENGER JOINT FAILURE
• LIFTOFF @ T+0.678 sec. JES-1B TEST @ T+0.600 sec.
• (T+0.600 sec.)
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PREMONITION OF COLUMBIA 2003
• STS-26R return to flight with Discovery: a debris wake-up call (September 1988)
• STS-27R Atlantis: a scary ascent and return (December 1988)
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COLUMBIA ACCIDENT & VERIFICATION
February 1, 2003Approx. 9:00 a.m. ESTColumbia Debris During Re-entry
Bi-Pod Ramp Foam Impact Test on RCC
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Lest We Forget!Lest We Forget!
STS-51L AND STS-107 CREW
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BOOK PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY PRESS OF FLORIDA – MARCH 2009
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BOOK THEME While the underlying content surrounds “rocket science,” it’s a story that chronicles the events, activities, and decisions surrounding a major historical event in U.S.
history. The book contains information about:• Politics• Whistle-blowing and retribution• Space science history• Tragedy• Colossal failures• Values, professional ethics, and integrity• Bureaucratic cover-up• Perseverance and dedication• Recovery and rewards• Lessons learned but forgotten