As Shuttle Lifts Off, NASA Will Man Destruct Switch—Just in Case

[Born_A_Truman]

Here's something I didn't know until I just watched the Discovery launch.

This is an old article, but it is true today as well:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/...sa/4262479


During Endeavour's March launch (left), an officer manned these vehicle destruction switches in case the shuttle crossed the no-fly lines (see diagram below, in solid red). (Shuttle launch photograph by Getty Images)


Each time the space shuttle rises from its launchpad at Cape Canaveral, Fla., an Air Force officer waits anxiously for the first 2 minutes to pass safely. If the spaceship were to veer off course and endanger a populated area, this range safety officer would bear the terrible responsibility of flipping a pair of switches under a stenciled panel reading "Flight Termination." The first switch arms explosives on the shuttle's two solid rocket boosters. Flipping the second switch would detonate them, destroying the shuttle and crew.

[azmouse]

That is one tough job. I think it would be so difficult to throw that switch, even in the good cause of saving lives on the ground.

[Born_A_Truman]

I know. I was watching MSNBC and the on scene person mentioned it and I thought I heard wrong.

[Treestar]

That's heavy!

[RoyGBiv]

I have to wonder why they decided to highlight this bit of trivia now.

I mean, it's always been there. Did some reporter just discover it?

[Born_A_Truman]

(02-27-2011 12:15 AM)RoyGBiv Wrote:  I have to wonder why they decided to highlight this bit of trivia now.

I mean, it's always been there. Did some reporter just discover it?

It was almost an offhand remark. I wasn't familiar with the person on air during the launch who was on site in Florida who said it but it struck me at the time, so I looked it up.