🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <BupHFA.J71@zoo.toronto.edu> henry@zoo.toronto.edu (Henry Spencer) writes:
>
>The reason they were practical is that the Titan II's hypergolic fuels
>would ignite on contact, eliminating the possibility of the fuels mixing
>and then exploding.  The reduced potential for a massive explosion meant
>less need for lots of distance in a hurry.

I've heard this cited many times; I wonder if anyone ever re-thought the 
decision to go without an escape tower in light of the Titan II accident
in Arkansas a few years back...due to a massive leak, the missile blew hard
enough to send the (rather heavy) Mark VI re-entry vehicle several hundred
yards out into the Arkansas brush. It was only located after an hours-long
search of the surrounding area.

Of course, the accident could have been worsened by the confinement in a 
silo. I can't remember if the blast door was open at the time.
-- 
Mark Johnson                          USnail: NCR Peripheral Products Division
E-mail:  Mark.Johnson@WichitaKS.NCR.COM       3718 N. Rock Rd.
Voice: (316) 636-8189 [V+ 654-8189]           Wichita, KS  67226
[Non-business email: 76670.1775@compuserve.com]