Yep, infrared point and shoot thermometers have some terrific advantages but
another drawback with 'infra-red' instruments, they are calibrated for one
value of surface emissivity. Before relying on the value for precision
measurements you should familiarize yourself with Emissivity.
Someone mentioned the Shuttle disaster and asked how many unfulfilled warnings
went by before the catastrophe. I've just finished reading a study of the
incident by a social scientist ("The Challenger Launch Decision") who concludes
that, contrary to the findings of the Presidential Commission and NASA reports,
the primary cause was not rule breaking by negligent managers responding to
pressure. There were mistakes, and their origins can be traced back to the
change in values and attitudes following the Apollo Missions ten years before
the Challenger incident.
What bothers me more is the scrapping of the substitute booster program after
investment of about $500M when Congress changed in 93-94. The original design,
made in Utah, is still flying, with all its bugs, because of political
budgetary choices.
Everyone still breathes a sigh of relief when booster separation is complete at
150,000 feet and Mach N. For you engineers out there, each booster weighs 90
tons at burnout. Can you imagine the bang that is felt inside the shuttle at
when the two sets of booster separation solid rocket motors fire
simultaneously? There are sixteen altogether, four at each end of each booster,
and each is a foot in diameter. I can recommend Inside The Space Station DVD
for space enthusiasts. Slow motion the shuttle launch segment and watch the
bend and springback in between main engine ignition and solid booster ignition.
That's what tore the joint open on Challenger, cold O ring couldn't bend fast
enough to seal the gap.
Best Regards
Ted Rook, Console Engineering, ext 4659
Please note our new location and phone numbers:
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Fair Lawn, NJ 07410 USA
201 475 4600 telephone receptionist, 8.30 - 5 pm EST.
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