Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!husc6!uwvax!oddjob!mimsy!aplcen!aplcomm!stdc.jhuapl.edu!jwm From: jwm@stdc.jhuapl.edu (Jim Meritt) Newsgroups: sci.space Subject: Re: comments/reply for SPACE_DIGEST Message-ID: <740@aplcomm.UUCP> Date: 11 Jun 88 16:45:16 GMT References: <8806072109.AA09311@angband.s1.gov> <1139@thumper.bellcore.com> Sender: news@aplcomm.UUCP Reply-To: jwm@aplvax.jhuapl.edu (Jim Meritt) Organization: The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory Lines: 22 In article <1139@thumper.bellcore.com> karn@thumper.bellcore.com (Phil R. Karn) writes: }> >So, just what are Lithium batteries, and why would they be prohibited on }> >a space flight, when I am allowed to take one in my watch and mingle }> >around thousands of people in public places? Are they radioactive? What }> >about a leak? } }The reason NASA bans them from the shuttle is because they have been }known to explode when shorted. They can usually tolerate a short }lasting a few seconds (typically 5), which is how they can be }wave-soldered to PC boards. No, they are not radioactive. They don't like getting wet much, either. Is this a consideration for something launched over an ocean that spends most of its time (when it is not in a warehouse) above water? Disclaimer: Individuals have opinions, organizations have policy. Therefore, these opinions are mine and not any organizations! Q.E.D. jwm@aplvax.jhuapl.edu 128.244.65.5 (James W. Meritt)