Re: Failure at PAL Ramp Removal?


At the moment its not clear whether it will be removed.

It has already been removed.

? You mean they already decided to launch without it? Or is there some
other ET available in case they decide to need the ramp?

But if it
turns out to be a mistake to remove the PAL-Ramp, what would be the
worst case effect inflight? A structural failure of the ET, some
picture like Challenger?

The PAL ramp contributes nothing structurally to the ET; it protects the
LOX feedline, repress lines, and cable trays from aero forces. Failure of

I`m aware of that but not of the possible consequences

the LOX feedline or repress lines would be nasty but wouldn't cause
strucural failure of the tank.

JRF

Sure? If the cables were cut (or some shorted) before seperation, how
would it affect the electric and computer systems of the orbiter?

The ET structure is pressure stabilized. If the internal pressure drops
below some margin the ET will collapse inflight. According ET managment
that was the case with the Challenger ET. Well, I heard two other
interpretations too: Failure of upper loadstructure or rocket effect
as LH2 bottom was lost. Nevertheless it seems certain that ET pressure
is crucial for its structural stability. If you lose a feedline or
the repress line...

If the LOX feed gets air in, how will the turbine react?
If the feedline gets suddenly ruptured the turbine will explode and destroy
the whole aft section of the orbiter. No chance for crew survival.

If the LOX feedline fails (and the turbine has time to shut down) what
could be the fate of the orbiter? No chance to reach ISS but almost
certainly a destroyed TPS.

Assume the engines shut down before SRB seperation. What follows would
be less demanding than a real reentry. But could the orbiter still
reenter and land with large scale damage in the TPS?



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