[OT] Space shuttle explosions and computers (was Re: Who invented the internet?)

Allison wrote: I'm not sure how to parse that. Are you saying that it was traveling at 3600 MPH, which is far from orbital velocity (i.e., a missing comma), or that it was travelling at 3600 MPH less than orbital velocity? (In any case, the use of the word velocity is incorrect. Velocity is a vector, as I had drilled into me in Physics class.) The NASA reference I posted earlier claims: At this point in its trajectory, while traveling at a Mach number of 1.92 at an altitude of 46,000 feet, the Challenger was totally enveloped in the explosive burn. The best information I have suggests that the Space Shuttle does not use the Honeywell DDP-516 in any capacity, and that engine control is performed by the some of the IOP processors that are part of the IBM AP-101S computers. The entire AP-101S, including both the GPC and IOP, occupies about 0.025 cubic meters, masses about 30 Kg, and consumes about 550 W. A DDP-516 occupies about 2.5 cubic meters, masses about 250 Kg, and consumes over 1000 W. The AP-101S replaced an earlier AP-101B computer that was twice the size. Anybody know where I can find one for my collection? :-)