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What causes a rocket to be destroyed during launch other than leaking fuel?
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There were some famous accidents where rockets launched and just went up into flames. Many had something to do with leaking fuel in some sort.
I want to focus on aerodynamic stress however, like when a rocket deviates from its path or has a wrong angle of attack, what causes it to be destroyed? Purely drag force?
As an example: What mechanics were at work when an Ariane 5 was destroyed on June 4, 1996 due to an integer overflow? It just burst into flames!
physics aerodynamics accident
asked 4 hours ago
JustAGuy
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show 4 more comments
up vote
5
down vote
favorite
There were some famous accidents where rockets launched and just went up into flames. Many had something to do with leaking fuel in some sort.
I want to focus on aerodynamic stress however, like when a rocket deviates from its path or has a wrong angle of attack, what causes it to be destroyed? Purely drag force?
As an example: What mechanics were at work when an Ariane 5 was destroyed on June 4, 1996 due to an integer overflow? It just burst into flames!
physics aerodynamics accident
asked 4 hours ago
JustAGuy
314
New contributor
JustAGuy is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
3
That Ariane tried to fly sideways because its guidance system shut itself down due to a math error. Rockets are usually long flimsy columns full of propellants; they don't fly sideways well at all. I think you are mischaracterizing most failures as due to leaking fuel; that's like listing the cause of death as "heart failure". When a rocket's structure is torn apart, the fuel tends to leak out.
– Organic Marble
4 hours ago
2
I have good knowledge of the CRS-3/OrB-3 Antares failure. It had nothing to do with leaking fuel, but it didn't have anything to do with aerodynamics either. Would this be a useful answer to your question, or are you focused purely on aerodynamics?
– Bear
4 hours ago
1
Yep, most of failures end with leaking fuel+oxidizer and a big explosion. They usually start with something else that leads up to these.
– SF.
4 hours ago
1
In many cases, the cause of the explosion is the range safety officer doing the equivalent of pressing the BRB (big red button). The BRB is a fiction; it's actually two switches, both with plastic covers that need to be opened to protect against inadvertently toggling the switch. Every launch vehicle is outfitted with a flight termination system, a radio-activated explosive device. One switch enables sending a signal to the FTS. The other switch sends the signal, but only if the enable switch has already been thrown. Once enabled and activated, bye-bye, launch vehicle.
– David Hammen
3 hours ago
1
The range safety officer in the previously mentioned CRS-3/OrB-3 Antares failure was a bit slow on the draw. The signal was sent (and the launch vehicle did blow up), but the signal was sent too late to protect the launchpad.
– David Hammen
3 hours ago
 |Â
show 4 more comments
up vote
5
down vote
favorite
up vote
5
down vote
favorite
There were some famous accidents where rockets launched and just went up into flames. Many had something to do with leaking fuel in some sort.
I want to focus on aerodynamic stress however, like when a rocket deviates from its path or has a wrong angle of attack, what causes it to be destroyed? Purely drag force?
As an example: What mechanics were at work when an Ariane 5 was destroyed on June 4, 1996 due to an integer overflow? It just burst into flames!
physics aerodynamics accident
asked 4 hours ago
JustAGuy
314
New contributor
JustAGuy is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
There were some famous accidents where rockets launched and just went up into flames. Many had something to do with leaking fuel in some sort.
I want to focus on aerodynamic stress however, like when a rocket deviates from its path or has a wrong angle of attack, what causes it to be destroyed? Purely drag force?
As an example: What mechanics were at work when an Ariane 5 was destroyed on June 4, 1996 due to an integer overflow? It just burst into flames!
physics aerodynamics accident
physics aerodynamics accident
asked 4 hours ago
JustAGuy
314
New contributor
JustAGuy is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 4 hours ago
JustAGuy
314
New contributor
JustAGuy is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 4 hours ago
JustAGuy
314
New contributor
JustAGuy is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 4 hours ago
JustAGuy
314
asked 4 hours ago
JustAGuy
314
314
New contributor
JustAGuy is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
JustAGuy is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
JustAGuy is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
3
That Ariane tried to fly sideways because its guidance system shut itself down due to a math error. Rockets are usually long flimsy columns full of propellants; they don't fly sideways well at all. I think you are mischaracterizing most failures as due to leaking fuel; that's like listing the cause of death as "heart failure". When a rocket's structure is torn apart, the fuel tends to leak out.
– Organic Marble
4 hours ago
2
I have good knowledge of the CRS-3/OrB-3 Antares failure. It had nothing to do with leaking fuel, but it didn't have anything to do with aerodynamics either. Would this be a useful answer to your question, or are you focused purely on aerodynamics?
– Bear
4 hours ago
1
Yep, most of failures end with leaking fuel+oxidizer and a big explosion. They usually start with something else that leads up to these.
– SF.
4 hours ago
1
In many cases, the cause of the explosion is the range safety officer doing the equivalent of pressing the BRB (big red button). The BRB is a fiction; it's actually two switches, both with plastic covers that need to be opened to protect against inadvertently toggling the switch. Every launch vehicle is outfitted with a flight termination system, a radio-activated explosive device. One switch enables sending a signal to the FTS. The other switch sends the signal, but only if the enable switch has already been thrown. Once enabled and activated, bye-bye, launch vehicle.
– David Hammen
3 hours ago
1
The range safety officer in the previously mentioned CRS-3/OrB-3 Antares failure was a bit slow on the draw. The signal was sent (and the launch vehicle did blow up), but the signal was sent too late to protect the launchpad.
– David Hammen
3 hours ago
 |Â
show 4 more comments
3
That Ariane tried to fly sideways because its guidance system shut itself down due to a math error. Rockets are usually long flimsy columns full of propellants; they don't fly sideways well at all. I think you are mischaracterizing most failures as due to leaking fuel; that's like listing the cause of death as "heart failure". When a rocket's structure is torn apart, the fuel tends to leak out.
– Organic Marble
4 hours ago
2
I have good knowledge of the CRS-3/OrB-3 Antares failure. It had nothing to do with leaking fuel, but it didn't have anything to do with aerodynamics either. Would this be a useful answer to your question, or are you focused purely on aerodynamics?
– Bear
4 hours ago
1
Yep, most of failures end with leaking fuel+oxidizer and a big explosion. They usually start with something else that leads up to these.
– SF.
4 hours ago
1
In many cases, the cause of the explosion is the range safety officer doing the equivalent of pressing the BRB (big red button). The BRB is a fiction; it's actually two switches, both with plastic covers that need to be opened to protect against inadvertently toggling the switch. Every launch vehicle is outfitted with a flight termination system, a radio-activated explosive device. One switch enables sending a signal to the FTS. The other switch sends the signal, but only if the enable switch has already been thrown. Once enabled and activated, bye-bye, launch vehicle.
– David Hammen
3 hours ago
1
The range safety officer in the previously mentioned CRS-3/OrB-3 Antares failure was a bit slow on the draw. The signal was sent (and the launch vehicle did blow up), but the signal was sent too late to protect the launchpad.
– David Hammen
3 hours ago
3
3
That Ariane tried to fly sideways because its guidance system shut itself down due to a math error. Rockets are usually long flimsy columns full of propellants; they don't fly sideways well at all. I think you are mischaracterizing most failures as due to leaking fuel; that's like listing the cause of death as "heart failure". When a rocket's structure is torn apart, the fuel tends to leak out.
– Organic Marble
4 hours ago
That Ariane tried to fly sideways because its guidance system shut itself down due to a math error. Rockets are usually long flimsy columns full of propellants; they don't fly sideways well at all. I think you are mischaracterizing most failures as due to leaking fuel; that's like listing the cause of death as "heart failure". When a rocket's structure is torn apart, the fuel tends to leak out.
– Organic Marble
4 hours ago
2
2
I have good knowledge of the CRS-3/OrB-3 Antares failure. It had nothing to do with leaking fuel, but it didn't have anything to do with aerodynamics either. Would this be a useful answer to your question, or are you focused purely on aerodynamics?
– Bear
4 hours ago
I have good knowledge of the CRS-3/OrB-3 Antares failure. It had nothing to do with leaking fuel, but it didn't have anything to do with aerodynamics either. Would this be a useful answer to your question, or are you focused purely on aerodynamics?
– Bear
4 hours ago
1
1
Yep, most of failures end with leaking fuel+oxidizer and a big explosion. They usually start with something else that leads up to these.
– SF.
4 hours ago
Yep, most of failures end with leaking fuel+oxidizer and a big explosion. They usually start with something else that leads up to these.
– SF.
4 hours ago
1
1
In many cases, the cause of the explosion is the range safety officer doing the equivalent of pressing the BRB (big red button). The BRB is a fiction; it's actually two switches, both with plastic covers that need to be opened to protect against inadvertently toggling the switch. Every launch vehicle is outfitted with a flight termination system, a radio-activated explosive device. One switch enables sending a signal to the FTS. The other switch sends the signal, but only if the enable switch has already been thrown. Once enabled and activated, bye-bye, launch vehicle.
– David Hammen
3 hours ago
In many cases, the cause of the explosion is the range safety officer doing the equivalent of pressing the BRB (big red button). The BRB is a fiction; it's actually two switches, both with plastic covers that need to be opened to protect against inadvertently toggling the switch. Every launch vehicle is outfitted with a flight termination system, a radio-activated explosive device. One switch enables sending a signal to the FTS. The other switch sends the signal, but only if the enable switch has already been thrown. Once enabled and activated, bye-bye, launch vehicle.
– David Hammen
3 hours ago
1
1
The range safety officer in the previously mentioned CRS-3/OrB-3 Antares failure was a bit slow on the draw. The signal was sent (and the launch vehicle did blow up), but the signal was sent too late to protect the launchpad.
– David Hammen
3 hours ago
The range safety officer in the previously mentioned CRS-3/OrB-3 Antares failure was a bit slow on the draw. The signal was sent (and the launch vehicle did blow up), but the signal was sent too late to protect the launchpad.
– David Hammen
3 hours ago
 |Â
show 4 more comments
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
I want to focus on aerodynamic stress however, like when a rocket deviates from its path or has a wrong angle of attack, what causes it to be destroyed?
In many cases, it's not aerodynamic stress. Many launch vehicle explosions result because they are commanded to do so.
Every launch vehicle launched from the U.S., including the solid rocket boosters on the Space Shuttle, is equipped with a flight termination system (FTS). This includes an explosive device intentionally placed so that it will cause near-instant destruction of the vehicle if activated. For example, just outside the oxidizer tank works quite nicely on liquid propulsion vehicles.
The FTS also includes a mechanism that triggers this explosive device. Until recently, the triggering mechanism was a radio receiver that received an encrypted signal sent by the Range Safety Officer. The US Department of Defense and NASA have been working on an automated flight termination system, with the triggering mechanism sent instead by a dedicated computer on the launch vehicle.
The intent is to destroy a wayward vehicle before it causes damage to the launchpad or further downrange. This doesn't always work. The Range Safety Officer for the RS-3/OrB-3 Antares launch was a bit slow on the draw. The signal was sent when the rocket was obviously going awry, and the rocket did explode, bit the signal was sent too late to prevent the rocket from damaging the launchpad.
In the case of the initial launch of the Ariane 5, that explosion was a result of an internally generated self-destruct command, followed shortly by a range safety officer command. The Ariane 5 was, and still is, designed to blow up when things go awry.
edited 1 hour ago
Will Da Silva
1032
answered 3 hours ago
David Hammen
28k166124
1
For reference also look up some videos of russian launch failures. They don't believe in self destruct.
– xyious
2 hours ago
@xyious any videos in particular you can link us? Sounds spectacular.
– Magic Octopus Urn
1 hour ago
@MagicOctopusUrn xyious seems to be quoting EverydayAstronaut.
– leftaroundabout
1 hour ago
You said that they're "working on" an automated system, but the Ariane 5 was destroyed by an "internally generated" command... could you expand on that?
– fooot
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
I want to focus on aerodynamic stress however, like when a rocket deviates from its path or has a wrong angle of attack, what causes it to be destroyed?
In many cases, it's not aerodynamic stress. Many launch vehicle explosions result because they are commanded to do so.
Every launch vehicle launched from the U.S., including the solid rocket boosters on the Space Shuttle, is equipped with a flight termination system (FTS). This includes an explosive device intentionally placed so that it will cause near-instant destruction of the vehicle if activated. For example, just outside the oxidizer tank works quite nicely on liquid propulsion vehicles.
The FTS also includes a mechanism that triggers this explosive device. Until recently, the triggering mechanism was a radio receiver that received an encrypted signal sent by the Range Safety Officer. The US Department of Defense and NASA have been working on an automated flight termination system, with the triggering mechanism sent instead by a dedicated computer on the launch vehicle.
The intent is to destroy a wayward vehicle before it causes damage to the launchpad or further downrange. This doesn't always work. The Range Safety Officer for the RS-3/OrB-3 Antares launch was a bit slow on the draw. The signal was sent when the rocket was obviously going awry, and the rocket did explode, bit the signal was sent too late to prevent the rocket from damaging the launchpad.
In the case of the initial launch of the Ariane 5, that explosion was a result of an internally generated self-destruct command, followed shortly by a range safety officer command. The Ariane 5 was, and still is, designed to blow up when things go awry.
edited 1 hour ago
Will Da Silva
1032
answered 3 hours ago
David Hammen
28k166124
1
For reference also look up some videos of russian launch failures. They don't believe in self destruct.
– xyious
2 hours ago
@xyious any videos in particular you can link us? Sounds spectacular.
– Magic Octopus Urn
1 hour ago
@MagicOctopusUrn xyious seems to be quoting EverydayAstronaut.
– leftaroundabout
1 hour ago
You said that they're "working on" an automated system, but the Ariane 5 was destroyed by an "internally generated" command... could you expand on that?
– fooot
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
I want to focus on aerodynamic stress however, like when a rocket deviates from its path or has a wrong angle of attack, what causes it to be destroyed?
In many cases, it's not aerodynamic stress. Many launch vehicle explosions result because they are commanded to do so.
Every launch vehicle launched from the U.S., including the solid rocket boosters on the Space Shuttle, is equipped with a flight termination system (FTS). This includes an explosive device intentionally placed so that it will cause near-instant destruction of the vehicle if activated. For example, just outside the oxidizer tank works quite nicely on liquid propulsion vehicles.
The FTS also includes a mechanism that triggers this explosive device. Until recently, the triggering mechanism was a radio receiver that received an encrypted signal sent by the Range Safety Officer. The US Department of Defense and NASA have been working on an automated flight termination system, with the triggering mechanism sent instead by a dedicated computer on the launch vehicle.
The intent is to destroy a wayward vehicle before it causes damage to the launchpad or further downrange. This doesn't always work. The Range Safety Officer for the RS-3/OrB-3 Antares launch was a bit slow on the draw. The signal was sent when the rocket was obviously going awry, and the rocket did explode, bit the signal was sent too late to prevent the rocket from damaging the launchpad.
In the case of the initial launch of the Ariane 5, that explosion was a result of an internally generated self-destruct command, followed shortly by a range safety officer command. The Ariane 5 was, and still is, designed to blow up when things go awry.
edited 1 hour ago
Will Da Silva
1032
answered 3 hours ago
David Hammen
28k166124
1
For reference also look up some videos of russian launch failures. They don't believe in self destruct.
– xyious
2 hours ago
@xyious any videos in particular you can link us? Sounds spectacular.
– Magic Octopus Urn
1 hour ago
@MagicOctopusUrn xyious seems to be quoting EverydayAstronaut.
– leftaroundabout
1 hour ago
You said that they're "working on" an automated system, but the Ariane 5 was destroyed by an "internally generated" command... could you expand on that?
– fooot
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
I want to focus on aerodynamic stress however, like when a rocket deviates from its path or has a wrong angle of attack, what causes it to be destroyed?
In many cases, it's not aerodynamic stress. Many launch vehicle explosions result because they are commanded to do so.
Every launch vehicle launched from the U.S., including the solid rocket boosters on the Space Shuttle, is equipped with a flight termination system (FTS). This includes an explosive device intentionally placed so that it will cause near-instant destruction of the vehicle if activated. For example, just outside the oxidizer tank works quite nicely on liquid propulsion vehicles.
The FTS also includes a mechanism that triggers this explosive device. Until recently, the triggering mechanism was a radio receiver that received an encrypted signal sent by the Range Safety Officer. The US Department of Defense and NASA have been working on an automated flight termination system, with the triggering mechanism sent instead by a dedicated computer on the launch vehicle.
The intent is to destroy a wayward vehicle before it causes damage to the launchpad or further downrange. This doesn't always work. The Range Safety Officer for the RS-3/OrB-3 Antares launch was a bit slow on the draw. The signal was sent when the rocket was obviously going awry, and the rocket did explode, bit the signal was sent too late to prevent the rocket from damaging the launchpad.
In the case of the initial launch of the Ariane 5, that explosion was a result of an internally generated self-destruct command, followed shortly by a range safety officer command. The Ariane 5 was, and still is, designed to blow up when things go awry.
edited 1 hour ago
Will Da Silva
1032
answered 3 hours ago
David Hammen
28k166124
I want to focus on aerodynamic stress however, like when a rocket deviates from its path or has a wrong angle of attack, what causes it to be destroyed?
In many cases, it's not aerodynamic stress. Many launch vehicle explosions result because they are commanded to do so.
Every launch vehicle launched from the U.S., including the solid rocket boosters on the Space Shuttle, is equipped with a flight termination system (FTS). This includes an explosive device intentionally placed so that it will cause near-instant destruction of the vehicle if activated. For example, just outside the oxidizer tank works quite nicely on liquid propulsion vehicles.
The FTS also includes a mechanism that triggers this explosive device. Until recently, the triggering mechanism was a radio receiver that received an encrypted signal sent by the Range Safety Officer. The US Department of Defense and NASA have been working on an automated flight termination system, with the triggering mechanism sent instead by a dedicated computer on the launch vehicle.
The intent is to destroy a wayward vehicle before it causes damage to the launchpad or further downrange. This doesn't always work. The Range Safety Officer for the RS-3/OrB-3 Antares launch was a bit slow on the draw. The signal was sent when the rocket was obviously going awry, and the rocket did explode, bit the signal was sent too late to prevent the rocket from damaging the launchpad.
In the case of the initial launch of the Ariane 5, that explosion was a result of an internally generated self-destruct command, followed shortly by a range safety officer command. The Ariane 5 was, and still is, designed to blow up when things go awry.
edited 1 hour ago
Will Da Silva
1032
answered 3 hours ago
David Hammen
28k166124
edited 1 hour ago
Will Da Silva
1032
edited 1 hour ago
Will Da Silva
1032
edited 1 hour ago
Will Da Silva
1032
1032
answered 3 hours ago
David Hammen
28k166124
answered 3 hours ago
David Hammen
28k166124
answered 3 hours ago
David Hammen
28k166124
28k166124
1
For reference also look up some videos of russian launch failures. They don't believe in self destruct.
– xyious
2 hours ago
@xyious any videos in particular you can link us? Sounds spectacular.
– Magic Octopus Urn
1 hour ago
@MagicOctopusUrn xyious seems to be quoting EverydayAstronaut.
– leftaroundabout
1 hour ago
You said that they're "working on" an automated system, but the Ariane 5 was destroyed by an "internally generated" command... could you expand on that?
– fooot
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
1
For reference also look up some videos of russian launch failures. They don't believe in self destruct.
– xyious
2 hours ago
@xyious any videos in particular you can link us? Sounds spectacular.
– Magic Octopus Urn
1 hour ago
@MagicOctopusUrn xyious seems to be quoting EverydayAstronaut.
– leftaroundabout
1 hour ago
You said that they're "working on" an automated system, but the Ariane 5 was destroyed by an "internally generated" command... could you expand on that?
– fooot
1 hour ago
1
1
For reference also look up some videos of russian launch failures. They don't believe in self destruct.
– xyious
2 hours ago
For reference also look up some videos of russian launch failures. They don't believe in self destruct.
– xyious
2 hours ago
@xyious any videos in particular you can link us? Sounds spectacular.
– Magic Octopus Urn
1 hour ago
@xyious any videos in particular you can link us? Sounds spectacular.
– Magic Octopus Urn
1 hour ago
@MagicOctopusUrn xyious seems to be quoting EverydayAstronaut.
– leftaroundabout
1 hour ago
@MagicOctopusUrn xyious seems to be quoting EverydayAstronaut.
– leftaroundabout
1 hour ago
You said that they're "working on" an automated system, but the Ariane 5 was destroyed by an "internally generated" command... could you expand on that?
– fooot
1 hour ago
You said that they're "working on" an automated system, but the Ariane 5 was destroyed by an "internally generated" command... could you expand on that?
– fooot
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
JustAGuy is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
JustAGuy is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
JustAGuy is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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3
That Ariane tried to fly sideways because its guidance system shut itself down due to a math error. Rockets are usually long flimsy columns full of propellants; they don't fly sideways well at all. I think you are mischaracterizing most failures as due to leaking fuel; that's like listing the cause of death as "heart failure". When a rocket's structure is torn apart, the fuel tends to leak out.
– Organic Marble
4 hours ago
2
I have good knowledge of the CRS-3/OrB-3 Antares failure. It had nothing to do with leaking fuel, but it didn't have anything to do with aerodynamics either. Would this be a useful answer to your question, or are you focused purely on aerodynamics?
– Bear
4 hours ago
1
Yep, most of failures end with leaking fuel+oxidizer and a big explosion. They usually start with something else that leads up to these.
– SF.
4 hours ago
1
In many cases, the cause of the explosion is the range safety officer doing the equivalent of pressing the BRB (big red button). The BRB is a fiction; it's actually two switches, both with plastic covers that need to be opened to protect against inadvertently toggling the switch. Every launch vehicle is outfitted with a flight termination system, a radio-activated explosive device. One switch enables sending a signal to the FTS. The other switch sends the signal, but only if the enable switch has already been thrown. Once enabled and activated, bye-bye, launch vehicle.
– David Hammen
3 hours ago
1
The range safety officer in the previously mentioned CRS-3/OrB-3 Antares failure was a bit slow on the draw. The signal was sent (and the launch vehicle did blow up), but the signal was sent too late to protect the launchpad.
– David Hammen
3 hours ago