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Autopsy: Nov. 6, MIT
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(Click on any of the photos for a larger version.)
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Because parts of the rocket engine are still undergoing patent prosecution, many engine details can not be shown on this page. We can, however, bring you a few photos to show you the extent of the damage to the entire setup. Be assured that we have completed a thorough autopsy, and we believe we understand the cause of the failure. We are in the process of working on building a new engine, with plans to begin tests in the spring of 2001.
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| That hole in the middle didn't used to be there. Hot flames courtesy of some mixed LOX and kerosene managed to burn it out. |
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Once that hole was blown out, we spewed molten aluminum out the back, melting parts of the Dexion and aluminum that were directly behind it. |
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| This used to be a bright, shiny copper combustion chamber. Now it's coated in aluminum. |
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This is a tube which should have LOX and kerosene flowing on opposite sides (inside & outside), safetly away from each other. At some point, they started mixing here, which is very bad. |
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