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)
[1212] [Ref. 3/7-79 4 of
6] Joint Leak Observed Near 59 sec. (continued).
JOINT LEAK OBSERVED NEAR 59 SEC.
(CONT'D)
- INITIAL SUBSCALE MOTOR TESTS INDICATE THAT
INDUCED SEALING SURFACE FLAWS OR O-RING DEFECTS CAN RESULT
IN:
- CONTINUOUS SMOKE FOR 24 SECONDS WITHOUT
METAL DAMAGE
- INTERMITTENT FLOWS WITH NO METAL
DAMAGE
- INTERMITTENT FLOWS WITH METAL
DAMAGE
- ADDITIONAL ANALYSES AND TESTS ARE
REQUIRED
[1213] [Ref. 3/7-79 5 of
6] Plume Emanating From SRM After 59 Sec. (common event for all
scenarios).
PLUME EMANATING FROM SRM AFTER 59
SEC.
(COMMON EVENT FOR ALL
SCENARIOS)
OBSERVATION
- VEHICLE RATES AND TVC GIMBAL ANGLES WERE
LARGER THAN PREDICTED
ASSESSMENT METHOD
- ESTIMATE FORCE (AND LOCATION) AND MOMENT
NECESSARY TO MATCH OBSERVED RESPONSE
- EVALUATE PLUME CHARACTERISTICS USING FILM
DATA TO DETERMINE VENT FORCES AND AERODYNAMIC INFLUENCES
- RECREATE VEHICLE RESPONSE
FINDING TO DATE
- RECONSTRUCTED RESPONSE AGREES WITH
OBSERVED RESPONSE
[Ref. 3/7-79 6 of 6]
Summary.
SUMMARY
- NINE FAILURE SCENARIOS ARE POSTULATED FOR
THE SRM HOT GAS LEAK
- THE SRM INHIBITOR FLAW AND LOAD EXCEEDANCE
SCENARIOS HAVE BEEN DETERMINED TO BE NOT PROBABLE
- TESTS AND ANALYSES ARE CONTINUING FOR
OTHER SCENARIOS
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