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Nobel Laureate Richard Feynman Autograph Document on the Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster. ...
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$3,750.00
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Description
Nobel Laureate Richard Feynman Autograph Document on the Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster. One page, 8.5" x 11", no place; no date. On ruled paper in black ink. The pre-eminent theoretical physicist Richard Feynman was chosen by NASA Acting Director William Graham (a former student) to sit on the Presidential (Rogers) Commission investigating the Challenger Disaster. Feynman was happy lecturing at Cal Tech and reluctant to join. He was appalled at the first meeting of the committee; it looked like they were going to follow President Ronald Reagan's advice to Rogers: "Whatever you do, don't embarrass NASA." Feynman wanted to find the truth at any cost (and that's what he did). Feynman penned this document during his investigation, which contains a rough timeline and references to different aspects that he wishes to look into further, such as igniter seals, the Wiggins report, and the Teledyne Corporation. The notes provide an insight as to his initial thoughts on the situation and read, in part:"[19]60-73 Igniter seal failures / 76 NASA doesn't want to have destruct for range safety... Pitch in 1979 failure rate 1/59 as good or better than shuttle. We are flying a manned system and if we thought numbers were so bad wouldn't fly... Factor of safety 1.62... Nozzle erodes. Putting Membrane strength of metal to liner... explosive separation." He continues with notes concerning 1978, "Nuclear in space is safe?...Wiggins report is first reliability study or failure study," before continuing on into 1983, three years before Challenger, "Nuclear again Teledyne (Basically a review of Wiggins report)."
Feynman would pass only a short time after his work with the Rogers Commission of a rare form of cancer. An intriguing document from the brilliant mind that would challenge NASA's management and its practices that led to the disaster. It is accompanied by a COA from University Archives signed by John Reznikoff.
Condition: Smoothed folds and light creasing.
Auction Info
2023 February 22 Historical Manuscripts Signature® Auction #6260 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
February, 2023
22nd
Wednesday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 16
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