Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Path: utzoo!henry
From: henry@utzoo.uucp (Henry Spencer)
Subject: shuttle escape systems
Message-ID: <1989Oct12.021826.7915@utzoo.uucp>
Organization: U of Toronto Zoology
References: <538.252A3A3B@mamab.FIDONET.ORG> <SHAFER.89Oct11081832@drynix.dfrf.nasa.gov> <2430@hydra.gatech.EDU>
Date: Thu, 12 Oct 89 02:18:26 GMT

In article <2430@hydra.gatech.EDU> ccsupos@prism.gatech.EDU (SCHREIBER, O. A.) writes:
>That is the whole point of engineering: to design something from
>the start to meet some functionalities and an escape system for
>the propelled phase of the ascent should have been one of them
>way back in 1972 when the design was chosen.

It was studied at length.  The Rogers Commission report cites a Rockwell
study of escape systems, citing "separable crew compartment" at a weight
penalty of 7+ tons and a development cost of several hundred million.
Other relevant remarks:  "All of these systems had limitations in their
ability to provide successful escape, and all would require advance
warning of an impending hazard from reliable data sources."  "Only one
of these [systems], the escape module, offers the possibility of escape
during first-stage ascent.  Its use would probably be practical only
after [SRB] thrust termination..."  "An additional weight penalty would
result from the requirement to add mass in the rear of the orbiter to
compensate for the forward shift in the center of gravity.  Recent
estimates indicate this could add as much as 30,000 pounds to the
weight of the orbiter..."  "The astronauts testifying before the
Commission on April 3, 1986 agreed that it does not appear practical
to modify the orbiter to incorporate an escape module..."  Finally,
it quotes Bob Crippen (STS-1 copilot):  "I don't know of an escape
system that would have saved the crew from the particular accident
we just went through..."

>I think this type of vehicle, without an escape system can never
>be safe enough.

Can you elaborate on why you think this?  The men who know the hardware
obviously disagree with you.

>How much risk is the question

How much risk FOR WHAT GAIN is the question.  If *you* want to stay on the
ground, nobody is going to march you on at gunpoint.
-- 
A bit of tolerance is worth a  |     Henry Spencer at U of Toronto Zoology
megabyte of flaming.           | uunet!attcan!utzoo!henry henry@zoo.toronto.edu
