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Report of the PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident

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Volume 4 Index

 

Hearings of the Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident: February 6, 1986 to February 25, 1986

 

FEBRUARY 14, 1986 SESSION

[665] [Ref. 2/14-6] PRIMARY CONCERNS.

 

PRIMARY CONCERNS

 

• FIELD JOINT - HIGHES CONCERN
  • EROSION PENETRATION OF PRIMARY SEAL REQUIRES RELIABLE SECONDARY SEAL FOR PRESSURE INTEGRITY
  • IGNITION TRANSIENT - (0-600 MS)
    • (0-700 MS) HIGH PROBABILITY OF RELIABLE SECONDARY SEAL
    • (170-330 MS) REDUCED PROBABILITY OR RELIABLE SECONDARY SEAL
    • (330-600 MS) HIGH PROBABILITY OF NO SECONDARY SEAL CAPABILITY
• STEADY STATE - (600 MS - 2 MINUTES)
  • IF EROSION PENETRATES PRIMARY O-RING SEAL - HIGH PROBABILITY OF NO SECONDARY SEAL CAPABILITY
    • BENCH TESTING SHOWED O-RING NOT CAPABLE OF MAINTAINING CONTACT WITH METAL PARTS GAP OPENING RATE TO MEOP
    • BENCH TESTING SHOWED CAPABILITY TO MAINTAIN O-RING CONTACT DURING INITIAL PHASE (0-170 MS) OF TRANSIENT

 

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