Challenger Disaster
Today for class the prof talked about the Challenger Disaster. I remember last time in the Chinese textbook there was a story about the Challenger, and about how one of the astronauts was a teacher. I never really knew the full story of the Challenger until today.
So basically, the O-rings between the segments of the solid rocket booster became eroded and leaked. They were unable to stop the hot gas blow by, because on the day of the launch they were cold. The solid rocket steel wall failed at the burnt through point, the solid rocket then pivoted inwards into the large external tank, caused the hydrogen gas to leak out, which then burnt upon contact with oxygen, therefore causing the Challenger to basically burn itself up at a super fast rate (which was seen as an explosion). Ok so the scary part is that the night before the launch the engineers brought up the exact problem to the managers because they had done tests that showed failure (erosion) of the O-rings at lower temperatures. Look at the graph below, which clearly shows correlation between low temp and higher erosion.
The tragic story -- engineers did not speak up or threaten to resign if decision was made to launch. They'd rather let someone else make the final decision and not take any responsibility upon themselves. Anyway.... so during the class there was a discussion about values and ethics blah blah blah. I suppose, we all have a fundamental set of values based on our integrity and technical competence... so what do we do when we hit our baseline? Throw in the towel and threaten to call some super authority or just diam diam go home play with kids and go to bed?
O-rings burnt out.... I also burnt out. Haha... now temperatures outside dropping also... low temps likely to result in disastrous consequences for me too.
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I am going to bid farewell to my Asics GT 2090s and lay them to rest. The 2090s were my very first pair of proper running shoes, and they bear sweet memories with them... They have served me well, clocking a mileage of over 250 miles + basketball + japalan sports. 2090s remind me of IM bball with And3, Schukyell River in Philly, running through the woods in Cornell, Summer time netball, and the new jersey marathon. I love them alot... but the soles are worn out, holes are starting to appear, and my heels are starting to hurt due to lack of support. So with a heavy heart... I have to let them go. *wipes tear*
* P.S. Of course I will still keep them lah. Haha... too sentimental. But just cannot keep using them for sports already or else my feet will die.
Today for class the prof talked about the Challenger Disaster. I remember last time in the Chinese textbook there was a story about the Challenger, and about how one of the astronauts was a teacher. I never really knew the full story of the Challenger until today.
So basically, the O-rings between the segments of the solid rocket booster became eroded and leaked. They were unable to stop the hot gas blow by, because on the day of the launch they were cold. The solid rocket steel wall failed at the burnt through point, the solid rocket then pivoted inwards into the large external tank, caused the hydrogen gas to leak out, which then burnt upon contact with oxygen, therefore causing the Challenger to basically burn itself up at a super fast rate (which was seen as an explosion). Ok so the scary part is that the night before the launch the engineers brought up the exact problem to the managers because they had done tests that showed failure (erosion) of the O-rings at lower temperatures. Look at the graph below, which clearly shows correlation between low temp and higher erosion.
The tragic story -- engineers did not speak up or threaten to resign if decision was made to launch. They'd rather let someone else make the final decision and not take any responsibility upon themselves. Anyway.... so during the class there was a discussion about values and ethics blah blah blah. I suppose, we all have a fundamental set of values based on our integrity and technical competence... so what do we do when we hit our baseline? Throw in the towel and threaten to call some super authority or just diam diam go home play with kids and go to bed?O-rings burnt out.... I also burnt out. Haha... now temperatures outside dropping also... low temps likely to result in disastrous consequences for me too.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am going to bid farewell to my Asics GT 2090s and lay them to rest. The 2090s were my very first pair of proper running shoes, and they bear sweet memories with them... They have served me well, clocking a mileage of over 250 miles + basketball + japalan sports. 2090s remind me of IM bball with And3, Schukyell River in Philly, running through the woods in Cornell, Summer time netball, and the new jersey marathon. I love them alot... but the soles are worn out, holes are starting to appear, and my heels are starting to hurt due to lack of support. So with a heavy heart... I have to let them go. *wipes tear*
* P.S. Of course I will still keep them lah. Haha... too sentimental. But just cannot keep using them for sports already or else my feet will die.
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