v5p1085

Report of the PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident

Volume 5 Index

Hearings of the Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident: February 26, 1986 to May 2, 1986.

FEBRUARY 27, 1986 SESSION

[1085] [Ref. 3/7-12] Solid Rocket Motor Recovery Plan.

SOLID ROCKET MOTOR RECOVERY PLAN

NASA AND CONTRACTOR TEAM MADE UP OF SPECIALISTS IN DESIGN, HANDLING, AND METALLURGY WILL PROVIDE ONSITE SUPPORT IN THE RECOVERY OPERATION.
IDENTIFICATION OF CRITICAL HARDWARE WILL BE PROVIDED TO THE RECOVERY TEAM ALONG WITH SUGGESTED SCHEMES FOR PRECLUDING DAMAGE DURING OPERATIONS.
GUIDELINES HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR RECOVERY IN CONJUNCTION WITH DESIGN ENGINEERS.

[Ref. 3/7-13] 51-L Components Recovered.

51L COMPONENTS RECOVERED

ORBITER

LOWER FWD FUSELAGE PANELS
ET/ORBITER L0₂ UMBILICAL
MAJORITY OF MPS SYSTEM
MAJORITY OF RUDDER SPEED BRAKE
MAIN LANDING GEAR DOORS
BODY FLAP
RIGHT ELEVON
PORTION OF PAYLOAD BAY DOORS
PORTION OF RADIATORS
LOWER SKIN PANELS
PORTION OF AFT THRUST STRUCTURE
PORTION OF ALL 3 MAIN ENGINES

SRB

BOTH FRUSTRUMS
LEFT DROGUE PARACHUTE
L.H. RATE GYRO
HYDRAULIC RESERVOIR
SYSTEMS TUNNEL FROM FWD SKIRT

60% OF INTER TANK SKIN
PORTION OF L0₂ TANK
PORTION OF LH₂ TANK
NOSE CONE SKIN
PORTION OF L0₂ FEEDLINE
MAJORITY OF RANGE SAFETY DESTRUCTION SYSTEM

[1086] [Ref. 3/7-14] Reconstruction and Analysis Effort.

RECONSTRUCTION AND ANALYSIS EFFORT

DIRECT THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING/DOCUMENTING THE RECOVERED 51-L COMPONENTS.
DETERMINE PROBABLE BREAKUP SCENARIOS FROM EXAMINATION OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
CONSIDERING THE FOLLOWING FACTORS:
- INFLIGHT THERMAL AND BLAST EFFECT
- INFLIGHT BREAKUP PATTERN (CRACK AND FRACTURE ANALYSIS)
- DAMAGE ATTRIBUTED TO WATER IMPACT
CORRELATE AND TEST SCENARIOS DEVELOPED BY NASA AGAINST WRECKAGE RECONSTRUCTION SCENARIOS

[1087] [Ref. 3/7-15] Note.

MR. TERRY ARMENTROUT, DIRECTOR, BUREAU OF ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION, NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION AND SAFETY BOARD (NTSB) HAS BEEN SELECTED TO DIRECT THE ANALYSIS OF RECOVERED COMPONENTS FROM ALL FLIGHT ELEMENTS OF STS FLIGHT 51-L.

MR. ARMENTROUT HAS BEEN TEMPORARILY ASSIGNED TO NASA TO DIRECT THIS EFFORT. HE HAS AT HIS DISPOSAL THE RESOURCES OF THE NTSB AND NASA. HIS REPORTING WILL BE ONLY TO THE TASK FORCE AND THE COMMISSION.

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