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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."

3 of 414 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Badass by Eternauta3k · · Score: 0, Troll

    That's the plan. They do the launch, if it goes wrong they turn the footage into a movie. If it goes right they stage a 'live' launch and broadcast the recordings.

    --
    Yeah. Would you choose a neurosurgeon who pokes around people's brains in his spare time? I wouldn't.
  2. Re:100% by TheTurtlesMoves · · Score: 0, Troll

    100% liquid fuel was always the right way to do. Loose the solids...

    --
    The Grey Goo disaster happened 3 billion years ago. This rock is covered in self replicating machines!
  3. Re:100% by turgid · · Score: 0, Troll

    You know, I think we should bring back gladiators. Wouldn't it be cool to see people fighting until someone gets hacked to death?

    Wouldn't it be cool to see a few spacemen getting burnt to death too?

    How about we take the safety rules out of Formula 1 racing? A few decapitations and dismemberments would make it so much more exciting! How about folks being burned alive in agony as the rest of us look on?

    Gee, what a boring, wussy, politically-correct world we live in.

    Hell, lets see some Sharia punishment on TV live from Sudan. I'd just love to see some real stonings, amputations and beheadings. And how about some young women being flogged to death?