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This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/30/2021
Intriguing handwritten document by Richard Feynman, just days after joining the Rogers Commission to investigate the 28 January 1986 crash of the Space Shuttle Challenger. Titled at top, ''Ideas after meeting on Feb. 5'', Feynman outlines his strategy for investigating the cause of the disaster, with references to the O-ring seals, temperature, and also safety factors.
In the course of his investigation, Feynman was shocked to learn that NASA executives didn't understand the basic engineering concept of a safety factor, confusing it with a non-catastrophic design flaw. The O-rings, for example, had eroded about 1/3 of the length of the radius in previous tests, which was a design flaw since they shouldn't have eroded at all during normal operation. NASA executives, however, told Feynman that the O-ring safety factor was 3, since the breaking point was the length of the radius. Feynman eviscerated NASA management in his minority report that was attached as an appendix to the full report, stating that the organization underestimated the danger of space shuttle flight ''to the point of fantasy.''
Feynman's notes read in small part, ''...Get details on Telemetering...Trajectory of pieces analysis? / Check temperature history detail on SRB, other. / Note what is different this time and look for secondary source of primary event was generated by T, not necessarily how low T could directly cause event. / Info from parts recovered...Other sources? Slightest anomally [sic] somewhere?...Detailed timeline of All Events...
Instigate experiments related to theories Eg. Cool some SRB sections, 10 hrs and inspect for cracks or liner separation. Or again, cool...joint and check for o ring seal...''
He then writes, ''Questions: Where did it start?'', listing underneath, ''In SRB / In ET / at engine exhaust / In engine / In Fuel in OMS / RCS / Or simple mechanical overstress at Max Q? Low safety factors?...''
He continues on a second sheet, ''Must read carefully all troubleshooting, testing, etc. reports to seek anomaly...See NASA-5-86-00302 Shuttle Verification System Discipline...Special Question: Computer program bugs - for example in new separation timer for fuel lines from ET Orbiter.''
Composed in black ballpoint, notes run two pages on two lined sheets, each measuring 8.5'' x 11''. Near fine condition. From the Richard Feynman estate.
Richard Feynman Handwritten Document Just Days After Joining the Rogers Commission -- Feynman Writes ''check for o ring seal'' & ''Low safety factors?''
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