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#1 Re: Mars Rovers / University Rover Challenge » Pressurized Rover Designs - How far away are we? » 2003-01-17 00:15:10

Current thoery on the Hindenburg disaster centers around the substance used to "dope" the skin of the craft. The doping solution consisted of a mixture of Iron oxide, cellulose acetate and Aluminum powder. A kind of rocket propellant (a highly energetic substance).
Electrostatic activity between the cotton skin and the airframe was poorly managed in the airships design. Eventually it built up to massive amounts and ignited the skin...the rocket propellent did the rest.

In the news reals, notice how the flames burn quickly down and around the skin of the airship, in a sparkling fireworks type flame. Hydrogen gas alone would burn upwards and has a colorless flame.

Experts therefore believe that the Hydrogen fuel was not the cause of the disaster.

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