cheehh@judy.uh.edu (03/18/90)
Here is my summary of shuttle engine failure scenarios (gleaned from *hours*
of reading this very newsgroup)
1. An SSME does not fire @ t-6.6 s. -> Abort Launch
2. 1 SRB does not ignite @ t-0 -> Start writing obituaries [1]
3. 1 SSME shuts down after SRB ignition -> Go for RTLS abort [2]
4. 3 SSME's shut down after SRB ign. -> Ditch in the ocean [3]
5. 1 SSME shuts down after SRB sep. -> Various options (TAL, AOA, ATO..)
[1] The SRB ignition sequence is one of the most reliable aspects of the STS
program. But if only one ignites, the asymmetric thrust will cause
it to cartwheel destroying the stack, pad, and a lot of real estate in the
near vicinity.
[2] I think they will have enough thrust to gain the altitude required to
try the RTLS abort. Hope we never have to see this being performed!
[3] Probably depends on when this happens before SRB separation. In the
first few seconds of the launch the thrust out of the SRB's alone
will not be sufficient to get high enough to do all the RTLS maneuvers.
--
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............. | Rikhit Arora
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod | cheehh@uhupvm1.bitnet
The high untrespassed sanctity of space, | cheehh@jane.uh.edu
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God. | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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