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Re: I wonder if it ran Windows? - a story of spectacular failure

  • Subject: Re: I wonder if it ran Windows? - a story of spectacular failure
  • From: Roy Schestowitz <newsgroups@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Sat, 08 Jul 2006 18:33:38 +0100
  • Newsgroups: comp.os.linux.advocacy
  • Organization: schestowitz.com / MCC / Manchester University
  • References: <44AFBC8B.6040108@the-computer-shop.co.uk>
  • Reply-to: newsgroups@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • User-agent: KNode/0.7.2
__/ [ Jim ] on Saturday 08 July 2006 15:08 \__

> I was reading a slashdot story on the space program (specifically the
> recent successful shuttle launch) when I came across this:
> 
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury-Redstone_1
> 
> -------------8<----------------------------------
> The Redstone's engine cut out about 1 second after lift-off. The launch
> failure was caused by a booster tail plug that pulled out too early,
> about one inch (25 mm) after liftoff. The rocket rose about 4 inches
> (100 mm) then settled back onto the launch pad and did not explode. An
> odd series of events then took place.
> 
> The Launch Escape System sensed the booster cutoff and fired the main
> escape rockets. At the same time, it thought booster cutoff was a signal
> to jettison itself, so it released the Mercury capsule. As a result the
> Escape Rocket launched itself to a 4,000 ft (1,220 m) apogee and landed
> 400 yards (365 m) away, but the capsule stayed behind on the rocket. The
> Mercury spacecraft sensed escape system jettison, but thought it been
> pulled away from an exploding booster and was falling. Three seconds
> after the escape rocket fired, the spacecraft ejected its radio canister
> and deployed its drogue, main and reserve parachutes.
> 
> In the end, a fully fuelled, slightly wrinkled Redstone booster sat on
> the launch pad, with live batteries and pyrotechnics. On top of it sat a
> Mercury capsule with live batteries and more pyrotechnics and main and
> reserve parachutes hanging down the side of the rocket, threatening to
> tip the Redstone over if they caught enough wind. All that was launched
> was the escape tower.
> 
> -------------8<----------------------------------
> 
> Immediately, the thought that flashed across my mind was "Was it running
> Windows?".
> 
> Then I realised that it was a few years ahead...
> 
> Still made me chuckle at the thought.

Have a look at the following news from Thursday.

http://sema.autoblog.com/2006/07/06/microsoft-to-run-formula-1-in-2008/

        Microsoft to run Formula 1 in 2008

Gives a whole new meaning to the term "crashes".

Best wishes,

Roy

-- 
Roy S. Schestowitz      |    "The only source is Open Source"
http://Schestowitz.com  | Free as in Free Beer ¦  PGP-Key: 0x74572E8E
Cpu(s):  19.9% user,   3.4% system,  15.2% nice,  61.5% idle
      http://iuron.com - semantic engine to gather information

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