Report of the PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident

Photo G: The frustrums on the left page are parts of the Solid Rocket Booster forward assemblies that contain recovery parachutes, location aids and flotation devices. The frustrum of the left hand booster (lower left) is virtually undamaged. The right frustrum shows impact damage at top and burns along the base of the cone; evidence indicates it was damaged when it impacted with the External Tank. Shown at right above is another Solid Rocket Motor stack crosshatched to show the burned area of the right booster's aft joint (diagram at right). The flame from the hole impinged on the External Tank and caused a failure at the aft connection at the External Tank.

Photo G:

The frustrums on the left page are parts of the Solid Rocket Booster forward assemblies that contain recovery parachutes, location aids and flotation devices. The frustrum of the left hand booster (lower left) is virtually undamaged. The right frustrum shows impact damage at top and burns along the base of the cone; evidence indicates it was damaged when it impacted with the External Tank. Shown at right above is another Solid Rocket Motor stack crosshatched to show the burned area of the right booster's aft joint (diagram at right). The flame from the hole impinged on the External Tank and caused a failure at the aft connection at the External Tank.

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