As it is known, the left SRB burned through the o-ring at the side facing
the ET causing the accident. Then I started to wonder.

Would it have been possible for the o-ring to burn through on the other
side of the SRB (ie: away from the tank)? Was it just bad luck it burned
through where it did?

If the above is possible then what would the effect had been on the
remainder of the rise to orbit? Would the Challenger been destroyed
anyhow?

If not then would have one of the abort modes been called after SRB
burnout? How bad would the gasses leaking pushed it off course?

Mark Percival
Montreal, Quebec