MEHARP01@ULKYVX.BITNET (02/10/86)
It looks to me like they may have someone to nail after all. I saw on the news where the committee has discovered some internal NASA flaming about the O-ring seals on the SRB's eroding after use. The media is trying to portray this as the result of a cover-up scheme because of some remarks about it being a "budget item." I am going to be really disillusioned with the program if this turns out to be the case. My first thought when I saw what they were talking about is that those seals should have been replaced as part of the refurbishment process after recovery. Is anyone out there familiar with what exactly IS done in refurbishment? I know the fuel is repacked and it's cleaned up but I can't believe it isn't more stringent than that. They did show one guy from NASA (Jesse Moore, i think) saying that it was indeed an "analmolus (sp) item and thoroughly worked." This would tend to clear them at first glance, but why were they not replaced? Are the gaskets expensive or difficult to replace? One other thing that seems to have faded into the ambient noise is an item I heard about Morton-Thiokol saying that the SRB's low end operation and storage temperature was around 40 degrees Farenheit. Was this dismissed as a cause outright, could it have contributed or was the report wrong? Michael Harpe University of Louisville Internet: MEHARP01%ULKYVX@WISCVM.WISC.EDU
joels@tekred.UUCP (Joel Swank) (02/12/86)
> I know the fuel is repacked and it's cleaned up but I can't > believe it isn't more stringent than that. They did show one guy from NASA > (Jesse Moore, i think) saying that it was indeed an "analmolus (sp) item and > thoroughly worked." This would tend to clear them at first glance, but why > were they not replaced? Are the gaskets expensive or difficult to replace? > According to testimony before the commission: The O-rings are replaced each time. Everything is replaced except the steel casing, and if that has any visable damage it is also replaced. The casings are also spot checked with X-ray. The joints in question are like those used on the Titan SRBs except the Titans have only one O-ring. This stuf is not new technology. They should not have failed unless some unusual conditions existed. I think the temperature question is being glossed over also. Joel Swank Tektronix, Redmond Oregon