Early Abort of Ares I Rocket Would Kill Crew

FleaPlus writes "From studying past solid rocket launch failures, the 45th Space Wing of the US Air Force has concluded that an early abort (up to a minute after launch) of NASA Marshall Flight Center's Ares I rocket would have a ~100% chance of killing all crew (report summary and link), even if the launch escape system were activated. This would be due to the capsule being surrounded until ground impact by a 3-mile-wide cloud of burning solid propellant fragments, which would melt the parachute. NASA management has stated that their computer models predict a safe outcome. The Air Force has also been hesitant to give launch range approval to the predecessor Ares I-X suborbital rocket, since its solid rocket vibrations are violent enough to disable both its steering and self-destruct module, endangering people on the ground."

Comments

Re:The Air Force is right.

[geekboy642]

Blatant moronic racism aside, you're a complete and total idiot. The Air Force promotes based only on two factors: the ability to get above 40% on a nearly open-book history test and time served. A wooden manikin can be promoted to sergeant in five years.

Re:IANARS but...

[Repossessed]

I'm sure a lot more people die in the US country from insurance rejecting their claim than from the hospital not having enough blood.