pyle@ut-ngp.UUCP (04/29/84)
Regarding the use of the OMS engines in the event of an emergency during landing, it would be probably not be too helpful. The 12,000 pounds of thrust they provide (6,000 each) and the limited burn time is not going to change the energy of the 80+ ton orbiter greatly. Also, the flight plan info I have seen indicates that the forward RCS propellants are dumped just after the OMS deorbit burn to change the orbiter's center of gravity. There is no mention of dumping the OMS or aft RCS propellant. I seem to recall mention made after the first Columbia flight that John Young was rather proud of the amount of OMS propellant remaining - an indication of his and Crippen's abilities. Keith Pyle UUCP: . . .{ihnp4,seismo,ctvax,kpno,gatech}!ut-sally!ut-ngp!pyle ARPA: pyle@ut-ngp