Old SRBs

What was the meaning of the black rectangles on the old SRBs?

Thanks.

Mark Lopa wrote:
What was the meaning of the black rectangles on the old SRBs?


I'm pretty sure they were optical range tracking aids
that were probably most useful as roll indicators during
the post-jettison period. After Challenger, the black
rectangles were relocated to toward the top of the SRBs
and were made unique to left and right SRBs so that they
could be differentiated in tracking film.

- Ed Kyle

ed kyle wrote:
Mark Lopa wrote:
What was the meaning of the black rectangles on the old SRBs?

I'm pretty sure they were optical range tracking aids
that were probably most useful as roll indicators during
the post-jettison period. After Challenger, the black
rectangles were relocated to toward the top of the SRBs
and were made unique to left and right SRBs so that they
could be differentiated in tracking film.

Challenger and a few of its immediate predecessors had no black
rectangles at all, only the black ID band around the nose of the left
booster.

Challenger's Ghost

On Thu, 09 Jun 2005 04:44:05 -0700, Mark Lopa wrote:

What was the meaning of the black rectangles on the old SRBs?

Thanks.

What black rectangles? You forgot the link to the picture?

--
Craig Fink
Courtesy E-Mail Welcome @

"Mark Lopa" wrote in
ups.com:

What was the meaning of the black rectangles on the old SRBs?

Thanks.


This goes back to the old pilot days and some Air Force old school.
The graphics changes over the years, but the shuttle commander wanted
clues as to which is left and right.

If you notice, the flag is "backwards" on the right side of the
orbiter. This is because, in AF tradition, the flag has to be
"flying.".

Hope this helps.

CJ