Реферат: Apollo 4 Essay Research Paper Apollo 4Introduction

accident in the history of NASA in nearly 25 years. 11:38 a.m. cape time, the

main engine ignition followed by clouds of smoke and flame came from the solid

fuel rocket boosters. Unknown to anyone in the cabin or on the ground, there was

a jet of flame around the giant orange fuel tank coming from the right-hand

booster rocket. Seventy-three seconds after lift-off the Challenger suddenly

disappeared amid a cataclysmic explosion which ripped the fuel tank from nose to

tail (Timothy 441). The explosion occured as Challenger was 10.35 miles high

and 8.05 miles downrange from the cape, speeding toward space at 1,977 mph.

Lost along with the $1.2 billion spacecraft were a $100 million satellite that

was to have becooome an important part of NASA’s communications network

(Associated Press 217). Pictures taken revealed that even after the enormous

explosion occurred the cockpit remained somewhat intact. Aerodynamic pressure

exerted on the human passengers would have killed anyone who survived the

explosion. The remains of the shuttle were spread over miles of ocean. Over

half were recovered.

In comparison, both disasters were preventable. Both disasters had a

main explosion or malfunction, but even if there were survivors they would have

died because there was no escape. The Challenger disaster was mainly a lot of

people wanting to get better jobs and more money, or simply to get on the good

side of someone. The Apollo 4 had many problems which should have been caught.

Conclusion

Apollo 4 had many deficiencies: loose, shoddy wiring, excessive use of

combustible materials in spite of a 100 percent oxygen atmosphere, inadequate

provisions for rescue, and a three layer, ninety plus second hatch. The

Challenger had faulty O-rings, icicles, and bad management which threatened to

bring the entire american astronaut program to an end. Over a billion dollars

was lost all together.

Both disasters could have been prevented if the time, effort, and

funding was spent. Many people involved in both disasters were either lazy or