Quote: ChaoticGemini - 2010.02.28. 08:25:45 I mean no offense, but wiki is not always correct. I could start a page stating the sky is green with purple dots. If I was going to confirm facts of something like a space shuttle, I would check NASA.gov
None taken.
Ok, I checked http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/missions/51-l/docs/rogers-commission/Chapter -3.txt and this is what it said about it (just the final paragraph)
At this point in its trajectory, while traveling at a Mach number of
1.92 at an altitude of 46,000 feet, the Challenger was totally
enveloped in the explosive burn. The Challenger's reaction control
system ruptured and a hypergolic burn of its propellants occurred as
it exited the oxygen-hydrogen flames. The reddish brown colors of the
hypergolic fuel burn are visible on the edge of the main fireball.
The Orbiter, under severe aerodynamic loads, broke into several large
sections which emerged from the fireball. Separate sections that can
be identified on film include the main engine/tail section with the
engines still burning, one wing of the Orbiter, and the forward
fuselage trailing a mass of umbilical lines pulled loose from the
payload bay.
Personally, I could read it either way. "An explosive burn" and the "fireball" terms could well mean either an explosion, or disintegration. However, I will resubmit the question and modify my answer.
Thank you for your assistance CG.
Thanks,
Jazaray
