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.
MARCH 7, 1986 SESSION (part 2 of
2)
[1204] [Ref. 3/7-75 1 of
2] Failure Scenario 4C.
FAILURE SCENARIO 4C
FAILURE MECHANISM
- PRIMARY O RING BLOW-BY/LEAKAGE AND LEAK
THRU THE LEAK CHECK PORT
ASSESSMENT METHOD
- ANALYSIS TO CHARACTERIZE HOT GAS LEAK THRU
LEAK CHECK PORT AND RESULTING EROSION/DAMAGE
- ANALYSIS/TESTS TO CHARACTERIZE LEAKAGE
RATES
- TESTS TO ASSESS EROSION/DAMAGE WITH
LEAKAGE THRU LEAK CHECK PORT
- PHOTO ANALYSIS TO DETERMINE IF INITIAL
LEAK (SMOKE PUFF) COULD BE FROM LEAK CHECK PORT
FINDINGS TO DATE
- ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT SECONDARY 0 RING
COULD BE OVERHEATED AND FAIL AT OR BEFORE 59 SEC.
- PHOTO ANALYSIS TO DATE DOES NOT SUPPORT
THE SMOKE PUFF FROM THE LEAK CHECKPOINT ANALYSES
CONTINUING.
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