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Report of the PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident

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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)

[1237] [Ref. 3/7-93] Space Shuttle Main Engine: Inspection of Recovered hardware.

 

SPACE SHUTTLE MAIN ENGINE INSPECTION OF RECOVERED HARDWARE

 

• ALL ENGINES RECOVERED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO EACH OTHER AND GIMBAL BEARINGS FAILED IN AN OVERLOAD MODE
  • ENGINES WERE ATTACHED TO THRUST STRUCTURE AND BULKHEAD AT WATER IMPACT
• ALL FRACTURES WERE DUE TO DUCTILE OVERLOADS
  • ENGINES DID NOT EXPLODE
  • DAMAGE WAS DUE TO WATER IMPACT AND POSSIBLY IMPACT WITH OTHER STRUCTURE
• NO TURBINE BLADE SEPARATION CAUSING HOUSING DAMAGE
• ALL ENGINES HAD BURN-THROUGH DAMAGE IN HOT GAS REGIONS DUE TO INTERNAL OVERTEMPERATURE
  • TYPICAL OF LOX RICH CONDITIONS DUE TO FUEL AND LOX DEPLETION

 

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