Space Shuttle Disaster 1986

Presented by Group # 1. MSPM (II), Bahria University, Lahore Campus

Team Members
Salman Bahadur Khan (Class C.R)
Zahir Naseem
Muhammad Shahzad
Abubakar Islam

Description of Event

S.No Detail
1

Before the launching of shuttle, the key engineer warned a possible catastrophe may
arrive

73 seconds after the launch, disaster strike.

07 astronauts died in front of their families and million of viewers who were watching
the shuttle on TV.

Initial investigations shown that the trial of exhaust was of very unusual zig zag than
vertical shape.

It appeared that the shuttle was hit by the strong side wind before the crash.

Hours before the takeoff, NASAs meteorologists sent many weather balloons to check
strong cross winds.

The data of the balloons indicated nothing unusual.

Engineer Chiles however, was not convinced that the weather balloons got it right.

Closer examination of the event uncovered following further details about the event
based on facts.

10

Balloons were drifted over 64 KM downwind during they are sent.

11

Telemetry showed at 58 seconds to flight, Main engines nasals on to their thrust angle
by 2 degrees

12

It was an automated adjustment to kick the craft on track. There was some external
force which leaded it.
3

What happened actually

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1

Telemetry indicated the shuttle was knocked violently by the side waves at 58 seconds
to flight.

A commercial jet was hit by 300 KM per hour side winds of the same area 30 minutes
to lift of the shuttle.

The challenger was passed through the same layer of air as it climbed towards space.

As it entered into the jet stream, it was hit both sides the force equivalent to hurricane
Katrina.

The solid rocket boosters ignite. The O rings inside got hardened by the freezing
temperature.

The O rings therefore were unable to keep the lower most fuel joint sealed as a result.
And they burned.

As super hot gases escape, small pieces of aluminum slag from rocket fuel and built
the block hole.

15 seconds before disaster, challenger shaken violently as it was entered into fast
moving jet stream.

The aluminum slag dislodged and at the same time, a flame appeared on the right
solid rocket booster.

10

Before 08 seconds to disaster, flame penetrated the external tank where liquid
hydrogen starts to spill out.

11

4
Finally, the attachment between booster and the tank breaks free the entire bottom

RISKS

Risks that were not catered

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1

The advice of one of the key engineer was not investigated thoroughly before the
launch.

Strong Cross winds and related readings were not analyzed in depth before the take
off.

The effects of freezing temperature on the machine were not tested in detail before the
lift off.

The reading of the Aircraft which passed above the same sight 30 minutes ago were
not taken into account

Q&A
Session

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Thank You !