LOT #50451 |
Sold on Nov 12, 2021 for: Sign-in
or Join (free & quick)
Nobel Laureate Richard Feynman & the Space Shuttle Challenger (STS-51-L) Disaster: First Computer Printout Draft o...
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Sold on Nov 12, 2021 for:
$5,750.00
Bid Source: HA.com/Live bidder
Get one of these:
Explore Available Items
Description
Original version: "For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, or it will fail."
Nobel Laureate Richard Feynman & the Space Shuttle
Challenger (STS-51-L) Disaster: First Computer
Printout Draft of His "Appendix F" to the
Rogers Commission Report with Handwritten Notes, as Sent to Dr.
Alton G. Keel. Eleven pages, lightweight 8.5" x 11" plain
paper, printed apparently on a dot matrix printer. A printed copy
of the final complete "Appendix F" will be included with the lot. A
real piece of Space history. Fine.There is a cover letter to Dr. Keel as follows:
"DEAR AL,
"Here is some stuff I wrote. I don't know if any of it is suitable for the report as is. But some of the information can guide others a bit, perhaps. Modify it, or use it, as you wish. I think it belongs mostly to Acheson's committee of which I am a member.
"There are several things I could amplify, if there is a need. I haven't written the AVIONICS part yet...
"If anyone needs it I could elaborate on other of the SSME problems, such as the high pressure oxygen pump turbine blades, or also on the problems with bearings, cracked sheet metal, etc. I have data but I didn't think it too necessary to make my point in this paper.
"I shall be at Marshall working with Kutyna for the next 10 days. Call me if you have questions, suggestions or orders.
"At your service,
Dick Feynman"
Feynman closes his remarks with the following:
"Let us make recommendations to ensure that NASA deals in a world of reality in understanding technological weaknesses and imperfections well enough to be actively trying to eliminate them. They must live in reality in comparing the costs and utility of the shuttle to other methods of entering space... Only realistic flight schedules should be proposed, schedules which have a reasonable chance of being met. If in this way the government would not support them, then so be it. They owe it to the citizens from whom they ask support to be the wisest decisions for the use of their limited resources.
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, or it will fail. (NOTE: Feynman's final version reads: "For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for nature cannot be fooled.")
"(PERHAPS THIS IS TOO STRONG, BUT IT IS A WORKING OUTLINE)"
Feynman sent his reports on O-rings, etc., to Keel who said he sent them out to everybody, but actually sent them to no one until Feynman found this out. After Keel attempted to edit this report, Feynman said "there was still so much missing that my report wasn't anything like it was before." He insisted on and succeeded in publishing this original document as "Appendix F" of the Rogers Commission Report.
Auction Info
2021 November 12 - 13 Space Exploration Signature® Auction #6244 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
November, 2021
12th-13th
Friday-Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 17
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 453
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% on the first $300,000 (minimum $49), plus 20% of any amount between $300,000 and $3,000,000, plus 15% of any amount over $3,000,000 per lot.
Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms
Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms