Quote:
Originally posted by DTK
That was my first thought as well, but given the way the shuttle broke apart it does seem possible that the crew could have been thrown from it.
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17,000 mph in a glider going in a straight line would be a very peaceful experience. Even with speed scrubbing down to 12,500 mph, the split second that the capsule no longer had wings I am certain the sudden tumbling of the capsule resulted in G-Forces that no one can sustain. Ignore the fireball. If, hypothetically, the safety capsule was thrown out of the way of harm of the fireball, the tumbling surely would have resulted in instant death.
Imagine if this were possible: Here's a baseball being pitched and it's a knuckle-ball. You could ride on that thing all the way to the catchers mitt, no worries. Now imagine the same pitch being thrown as a curveball with the incredible spinning rotation. Could you possibly hang on and have your head still on your shoulders? A capsule without wings suddenly experiencing friction of the air moving past it 12,500 mph likely had a simlar affect as pulling the cord on a top and setting it spinning at 12,000 RPM.
I apologize for the graphic imagery. It is not my intent to upset anyone...just trying to draw everyone a picture.