"Brian Thorn" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 20 Jan 2009 08:59:21 -0500, "Jeff Findley"
wrote:


No one asked you to get on top. If astronauts ever ride on top, they'll
have the benefit of a launch escape system, just in case something does go
wrong.

Assuming they have time to react, and then assuming a supersonic piece
of flaming SRB doesn't shatter the LES...

Launch escape should be automatic. A serious drop in the chamber pressure
of the SRB (i.e. unexpected loss in thrust) ought to trigger the LES.

Supposedly the worst case LES scenario is with the upper stage of Ares I.

Jeff
--
"Many things that were acceptable in 1958 are no longer acceptable today.
My own standards have changed too." -- Freeman Dyson