Quote:
Originally Posted by island911
I also have to say that I'm not so sure about reports of the engine (and new fuel) causing the problem.
This photo is why.
Appears that the rocket-plane is lost (tumbling) while the engine is intact. |
Rocket engine is a solid particle fuel with an external oxidizer. It allows a solid booster to be stopped and restarted. They are much less volatile than liquid fuels. And while they changed the fuel recently, the engine design was such that either fuel particles could be used.
Catastrophic engine failure is much less likely with SRBs. And if had been like the Antares failure, the whole craft would have been destroyed. I'm guessing it was a structural issue.