What critical components failed due to the unusually cold weather, leading to the immediate cause of the STS-51L disaster?
Answer
Rubber O-rings
The immediate technical cause of the disaster was the failure of two crucial rubber O-rings located within a joint between the lower segments of the right-hand Solid Rocket Booster (SRB). The severe cold wave experienced in central Florida the night before the launch critically reduced the elasticity and sealing capability of these rings. Under normal conditions, these rings were designed to seal the booster joint during the pitch maneuver following main engine ignition. Because the cold prevented them from sealing properly, hot exhaust gas escaped, creating a pathway for fire that ultimately eroded a stabilizing strut.
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