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Author
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Topic: Help identifying space shuttle hardware
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Chuckster01
Member Posts: 873
From: Orlando, FL
Registered: Jan 2014
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posted 04-21-2018 07:37 PM
   
I am cleaning out my closet and I have had this for a long time and I still have no idea what it is? I purchased it with some space shuttle solid rocket booster hardware so I assume it is SRB related.Can anyone help identify this item?  
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oly
Member Posts: 905
From: Perth, Western Australia
Registered: Apr 2015
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posted 04-21-2018 09:43 PM
I think it may be a parachute reefing line cutter. I tried to find a good example online however this is becoming annoying through the combination or Photobucket image rights and Google image search policy changes making my search methods so drawn out and fraught with frustration these days that I abandoned the search. I hope this Gemini system helps, scroll down to Pilot Parachute reefing cutter. The evidence of the para chord, and the item being wrapped in glass cloth tape indicates that it may have something to do with para systems. I hope this helps. |
Chuckster01
Member Posts: 873
From: Orlando, FL
Registered: Jan 2014
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posted 04-22-2018 07:13 AM
Yes all information is helpful. I am very familiar with the SRB time delay cutter. But this one I have not seen in the past and so far I have not been able to find any information. I am very hesitant to remove the tape to look for part numbers or item description. |
oly
Member Posts: 905
From: Perth, Western Australia
Registered: Apr 2015
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posted 04-22-2018 08:28 AM
I think this identifies the tape used, it is a common aerospace product. I am not guiding you to remove the existing tape, this may deface the item. However if you do not receive any other answers it may be a last resort to find possible identifiers or part numbers.
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Jim Behling
Member Posts: 1463
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 04-22-2018 01:25 PM
Google "Apollo parachute reefing cutter" and look at the images. |
Steven Kaplan
Member Posts: 140
From: New Jersey
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 04-22-2018 04:54 PM
I was gifted a similar item by a shuttle contractor my company did business with. Manufactured by Roberts Research Laboratory, it is a reefing cutter used in the deployment sequence of the SRB parachutes (there was more than one style of cutter used). |
Chuckster01
Member Posts: 873
From: Orlando, FL
Registered: Jan 2014
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posted 04-23-2018 06:05 PM
Steven, thank you so much for the manufacture's information. I was able to get in touch with the Vice President of Roberts Research Laboratory and he was able to make a positive ID. That is a Model H5-3.45 second reefing line cutter from the para-brake on the shuttle. When the parachutes for the braking system were deployed after landing, a 6500# Kevlar reefing line cord kept them only partially inflated. 3.45 seconds after deployment, these cutters would sever that line to allow the chutes to open completely. Another mystery solved thanks to the great people on cS. |
Steven Kaplan
Member Posts: 140
From: New Jersey
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 04-24-2018 05:59 AM
You're welcome- happy I could be of some assistance in solving the mystery. |
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