Re: OT Space Shuttle question


etpm@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
Whenever the launch is shown there is a shot of the exhaust coming
out of the rockets. And there is always in the shot a device that
shoots out sparks horizontally. What is the spark shower for?
Eric

Others have said "why", but from my standpoint, the "what" is just as
fascinating. Those are zirconium gerbs (fountains by any other name).

Zirconium is so damned expensive because of its military/aerospace
igniter uses, that we cannot use it in civilian fireworks. But it makes
some beautiful, white, and very hot sparks.

LLoyd
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: OT Space Shuttle question
    ... out of the rockets. ... shoots out sparks horizontally. ... What is the spark shower for? ... I build these for engines for a living. ...
    (rec.crafts.metalworking)
  • Re: OT Space Shuttle question
    ... And there is always in the shot a device that shoots ... What is the spark shower for? ... I have to assume that the shower of sparks is to ignite any gathering fuel before is can collect into a dangerous amount, ...
    (rec.crafts.metalworking)
  • Re: OT Space Shuttle question
    ... And there is always in the shot a device that shoots ... What is the spark shower for? ... I always understood that those sparks were used to ignite the liquid fuel engines. ...
    (rec.crafts.metalworking)