dietz@SLB-DOLL.CSNET (Paul Dietz) (03/21/86)
The next (?) issue of AWST gave some additional information on the RTG's. It seems the Challenger explosion generated pressures of 200-400 psi, not the 10-100 as previously reported. Also, shrapnel may be the most important cause of RTG rupture. A test done in the Southwest with a very large conventional explosion included a RTG mockup. The overpressure was not measured due to the destruction of the pressure measuring device, but the RTG mockup was reportedly blown to pieces and only 70% of it was recovered.