Better Re-Check Those Numbers
Kirt's Cogitations™ #14

RF Cafe University "Factoids," "Kirt's Cogitations," and "Tech Topics Smorgasbord" are all manifestations of my ranting on various subjects relevant (usually) to the overall RF Cafe theme. All may be accessed on these pages:

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Better Re-Check Those Numbers

Here is a lesson in how placing total faith in computer simulations can be utter folly - and deadly! As part of NASA's investigation into the shuttle Columbia's breakup over TX last winter, Boeing, builder of the wing leading edge (LE) sections, presented simulations proving that the dislodged chunk of main fuel tank insulating foam that struck the LE could not possibly have compromised the structure and therefore precipitate the disaster. Later, NASA engineers fired a similarly-sized real chunk of foam at a real wing LE, and were shocked to witness the resulting 16" hole! Boeing's detailed report, complete with tables, graphs and charts from their simulations, insists the hole isn't really there.

LadyBug LB5954L Power Sensor with LAN Option - RF Cafe Website

RF Cafe began life in 1996 as "RF Tools" in an AOL screen name web space totaling 2 MB. Its primary purpose was to provide me with ready access to commonly needed formulas and reference material while performing my work as an RF system and circuit design engineer. The World Wide Web (Internet) was largely an unknown entity at the time and bandwidth was a scarce commodity. Dial-up modems blazed along at 14.4 kbps while tying up your telephone line, and a lady's voice announced "You've Got Mail" when a new message arrived...