Yeah but if you look at the videos of the Challenger accident you'll notice that the SRB's still continue to fly, even after the explosion. Granted it wasn't really controlled flight (and if it were an armed warhead it would have no chance of getting to its target).
In essence, what happened is that the leak in the O-Ring allowed the flame to penetrate the liquid fueled external tank. It ended up penetrating the liquid oxygen portion of the tank (if I remember correctly) which is kept under very very high pressure. What happens when you suddenly take away very high pressure? Kaboom. (Shake a soda can up and shoot it with a BB gun).
Slashdot Mirror
Yeah but if you look at the videos of the Challenger accident you'll notice that the SRB's still continue to fly, even after the explosion. Granted it wasn't really controlled flight (and if it were an armed warhead it would have no chance of getting to its target). In essence, what happened is that the leak in the O-Ring allowed the flame to penetrate the liquid fueled external tank. It ended up penetrating the liquid oxygen portion of the tank (if I remember correctly) which is kept under very very high pressure. What happens when you suddenly take away very high pressure? Kaboom. (Shake a soda can up and shoot it with a BB gun).
And what is really sad about this whole thing is that people tell me that I am really a girl. :(
So... which one will you be at? ;)
Cheers!