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)