Image: TankRuptureParametersGraph - Apollo13 CortrightReport pg B-47 (pg A-209 inlay)

Description: Telemetered parameters during the Apollo 13 oxygen tank rupture anomaly, with inset of pressure relief valve hardware is taken from Appendix A, page A-209 of the Cortright Report. (This graph without the inset is available as File:TankRuptureParametersGraph - Apollo13 CortrightReport pg B-47.png) The data in this graph shows how the engineered safety mechanisms performed per their design function to mitigate an overpressure situation in order to prevent the tank from exploding. The official investigators do not refer to the incident as an explosion. In their report, it is referred to as a tank rupture. (On the same Apollo 13 mission, a separate tank overpressure situation happened with the lunar module supercritical helium tank. Mission Control made the decision to not do a burn in order to relieve this pressure but instead deliberately let this tank blow, relying on its overpressure safety mechanisms to work per design. After rounding the Moon, this 'SHe' tank blew safely with minor impact on the mission. Lovell had to re-establish the passive thermal roll.) Excerpt from Appendix B, page B-39: 55:53:20 Oxygen tank no. 2 fans turned on. ... 55:53:36 Oxygen tank no. 2 pressure begins rise lasting for 24 seconds. ... 55:54:00 Oxygen tank no. 2 pressure rise ends at a pressure of 953.8 psia. 55:54:15 Oxygen tank no. 2 pressure begins to rise. [again] ... 55:54:45 Oxygen tank no. 2 pressure reaches maximum value of 1008.3 psia. ... 55:54:52.763 Last telemetered pressure from oxygen tank no. 2 before telemetry loss is 995.7 psia.
Title: TankRuptureParametersGraph - Apollo13 CortrightReport pg B-47 (pg A-209 inlay)
Credit: REPORT OF APOLLO 13 REVIEW BOARD (The Cortright Report)
Author: Edgar M. Cortright, et al
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No