Paleo CO{2} and

Inspired by this posting:

I tried the nature.com web site but once again, frustration. Please post links to such stories but a silver lining, I found something else:
Why does CO2 lag temperature?

Bob Wilson

 

Thanks! That is one gnarly looking set of graphs. I'll have to get the article. I see the methane step function but the first set is a bit obscure to me.

As for the hybrid engine, I might speculate that the ground, static testing might not have include acceleration in the linear axis. This would require mounting the engine at an angle with the maximum being vertical or 1 G. As the vehicle accelerated, the solid propellant would be subject to a force along the linear axis and that might have led to a chunk/slug breaking off and going into the oxide flow. More exposed area, the pressure would spike. Then comes the question of a pressure relief, blow-out disk BUT this is pure speculation.

The oxidizer tank could have ruptured. The control valve failed. A structural member failed. A flight surface suffered an aerodynamic-coupled vibration failure. . . . there is a long, long list of failure mechanisms.

In a perfect world, there would have been an unmanned flight test with parachute recovery. But this program is following the shuttle program plan. Fast and cheap with insufficient attention to failure modes . . . says the guy sitting safely at home with fingers on keyboard.

Bob Wilson

 

Preliminary wreckage found the engine and oxidizer tank intact. Current data suggests that while supersonic the 'shuttle-cock' mechanism was unlocked while under powered flight.

I will get the paper and agree the methane data does not look right.

Bob Wilson