jj@alice.UUCP (01/30/86)
<My minute of silence was private, thank you.> Several notes: First, I've heard some (uninformed) speculation that for some reason the auto-destruct in the main shuttle tank was triggered, obviously incorrectly. Does anyone know how the triggering is done, by whom, what automatic controls there are, etc? This uninformed speculation alledged that the flames along the side of the tank corresponded to the positions of the charges that are designed to MIX the LOX and H2 as fast as possible to blow up the tank. This theory would explain the rapidity of the explosion, as well as how the fuel managed to get so well mixed that it could detonate a significant amount at once. Second, I've run into a few people already who are using the shuttle explosion as a way to shut down "star wars", using the reasoning that if we don't have a shuttle, we can't have star-wars. I don't like the sound of that sort of politicing, since that's just the kind of ignorance that could bring enough politicians together to do it. Ray-gun has pissed off enough politicians for them to do in NASA just to get even for Star-Warts. Seems that several college students I know (in various places far apart) have been urged to lobby for this. Third, does anyone else blame Proxmire for this? Seems to me that anything built after two budget cuts and resultant forced selection of the "worst", i.e. single-stage shuttle, alternative is greatly a product of those who cut the budget. The budget of NASA is so miniscule compared to anything else in the federal budget (perhaps excepting aid to research.:-(.) that it doesn't matter in terms of our spendthrift deficit. Furthermore, it's one of the few governmental programs that has a positive return to the economy. I've called my Senators (not rep yet) to suggest that they introduce a bill to double NASA's funding immediately, and then guarantee it for at least 10 years, due to the failure of the current program. -- TEDDY BEARS GET HUNGRY, THEY NEED THEIR MCVITIES TODAY! "Heaven please, send all mankind, Understanding, and peace of mind..." (ihnp4;allegra;research)!alice!jj