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 From ayee en nova.astro.utoronto.ca Wed Sep  9 23:36:15 EDT 1998
 From: Andrew Yee <ayee en nova.astro.utoronto.ca>
 Newsgroups: sci.space.news
 Subject: Boeing Pinpoints Cause of Delta III Failure, Predicts Timely Return , to Flight (Forwarded)
 Date: Wed, 9 Sep 1998 20:29:22 -0400

The Boeing Company

Contact: Communications (714) 896-1301
Boeing Delta Hotline: (714) 896-4770

Boeing Pinpoints Cause of Delta III Failure, Predicts Timely Return to
Flight

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., September 5, 1998 -- Boeing officials here
announced today the Delta III failure investigation should conclude by
the end of September.

After the Aug. 26 failure of the Delta III, the investigation team moved
quickly to focus on the control system.  The Delta III control system
consists of an onboard computer system which controls the main engine,
two vernier engines and three solid-rocket motors with thrust-vector
assemblies.

Walt Wilson, investigation board deputy chairman, said the investigation
team had pinpointed the cause of the failure, predicted the failure mode
in the control system stability analysis and is developing a corrective
action plan.  The investigation team is having an independent source
verify its findings.

"The control system recognized and tried to correct a slow oscillating
roll that developed during the first minute of flight," Wilson said.
"However, the control system contributed to the situation, and in the end
expended the hydraulic fluid used to gimbal the thrust-vector controls on
the solid rocket motors."

Once the thrust vector control system was no longer operating, the
oscillation smoothed out.  At that point, the TVC assemblies were fixed in
a position eventually causing the 10-story rocket to overturn and destroy
itself.


The investigation board and the U.S. Air Force cleared the Delta II for
this week's launch of five Iridium system satellites from Vandenberg Air
Force Base, Calif.  Once the investigation board finishes identifying the
cause and implementing corrective actions from the Delta III flight, they
will apply the lessons learned to the Delta II and Delta III programs.
This portion of the investigation should take another three to four
months.

The investigation team expects to have the Delta III ready for flight in
early 1999, meeting the requirements of the next Delta III customer.
Hughes, the Federal Aviation Administration, NASA, the U.S. Air Force,
Aerospace Corporation, and Alliant Techsystems are assisting the Boeing
investigation team.


---
Andrew Yee
ayee en nova.astro.utoronto.ca