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Old September 7th 06, 09:09 AM posted to sci.space.policy
Stephen Horgan
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Posts: 66
Default Does a solid-fuel Ares 1 make sense?

Ares 1 or the 'Stick' is based on the shuttle SRB. The grandfather of
manned space flight, Von Braun, was of the opinion that solid rockets
should not be used for personnel because they cannot be turned off when
ignited and they have a higher failure rate than liquid fuelled
equivalents. Of course the SRB has only failed once in STS operation,
but that was enough to cause the Challenger catastrophe.

So, does the use of the SRB for Ares make sense or not? Or are we
waiting on an accident in the future?