Questions tagged [explosives]
Explosives are chemical substances that can produce large quantities of gaseous products and heat by decomposition in very short periods of time through detonation. Use [pyrotechnic fasteners] instead for devices that hold parts together, until their intended separation.
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What is the difference between these various spacecraft pyrotechnics?
The following terms have been used in various Space Exploration StackExchange questions and answers. What are the differences (if any) between these various terms?
detonating cord
detonating fuse (...
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Are rocket self-destruct systems ever flight-tested/flight-proven?
Under the question SN11 was launched in fog. Why not wait for better conditions? I wrote the comment:
armchair totally unsupported theory: the fog presented an opportunity to test the emergency self-...
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Separation of the stages of Saturn V by pyrotechnics, what about electrical and mechanical connections?
We know that the stages of Saturn V were mounted to each other with explosive bolts. Separation was done by ignition of these pyrotechnics.
But we also know the control computer of the Saturn V was ...
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Would Earth fireworks work on the Moon or on Mars?
Fireworks have had a very long history and have evolved into highly engineered devices with simultaneously excellent performance and reliability. Even small tweaks require research, testing, and are ...
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What is the theoretical max specific impulse of rotating detonation engines in space flight?
I am curious if a rotating detonation engine were made stable, how much more efficient it would be than a standard rocket engine. With a methane or hydrogen and LOX mixture, what is the theoretical ...
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Why did some Apollo missions carry a grenade launcher?
According to ALSEP Flight System Familiarization Manual, p. 2-166, some Apollo missions carried a grenade launcher and 4 grenades. What were these used for?
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Was Hayabusa-2's plastic explosive charge the largest charge detonated beyond LEO?
The BBC News article Hayabusa-2: Japanese probe set to 'bomb' an asteroid says:
The charge is carried on the Small Carry-On Impactor (SCI) device.
This is a 14kg conical container attached to ...
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How far did Hayabusa-2 back off before the "bomb" went off?
The BBC News article Hayabusa-2: Japanese probe set to 'bomb' an asteroid says:
The charge is carried on the Small Carry-On Impactor (SCI) device.
This is a 14kg conical container attached to ...
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Externaly delivered non-nuclear pulse propulsion?
This question asks about the feasibility of an Orion-like pulse propulsion system using chemical explosives instead of nuclear explosives as pulse unit. Unfortunately, those simply lack the energy ...
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Could we see the surface of Venus after the explosion of a H-bomb in its atmosphere?
The dense atmosphere of Venus is mainly composed of carbon dioxide and nitrogen, with clouds made of sulfuric acid droplets, which make optical observation of the surface impossible.
As can be seen ...
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Emergency Spacesuit Protection?
In an emergency how much and what kind of protection would a spacesuit provide protecting against an explosive decompression event in the habitat the wearer is in?
Can air pressure be accumulated ...
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Lunar excavation by blasting - would there be unique challenges, difficulties or safety issues?
This answer which mentions blasting on the moon for excavation got me thinking. There may be many ways that blasting could potentially be useful on the Moon. Excavation for habitats or other ...
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What limits burning speed of solid propellant?
SRBs and missiles use grain to regulate thrust over time, as only exposed surface of the propellant burns.
But what causes propellant to burn only on the surface, and regulates the speed at which the ...
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Are conventional explosives viable for pulsed propulsion?
During the cold war we explored the use of nuclear weapons as a means of propulsion. Instead of trying it right away, we used conventional explosives to simulate them. Is it economically viable to use ...
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Could explosives replace drilling for science and construction in space?
Drilling seems to require heavy equipment, preferably with humans on site for maintenance, much energy and might be even more problematic in low gravity and unknown geology. Deepest hole drilled in ...
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