https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=Aerosmurf 2026-05-01T08:56:00Z User contributions MediaWiki 1.30.0 https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2114:_Launch_Conditions&diff=169888 2019-02-20T18:59:17Z

<p>Aerosmurf: </p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 2114<br /> | date = February 20, 2019<br /> | title = Launch Conditions<br /> | image = launch_conditions.png<br /> | titletext = Though I do think the tiny vent on one of the boosters labeled &quot;O-RING&quot; is in poor taste.<br /> }}<br /> <br /> ==Explanation==<br /> {{incomplete|Created by a BOT. Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br /> <br /> An image of a rocket with a progressively larger white cloud around it is shown, but no external object for scale is visible until the third panel.<br /> It is then revealed to be a model or miniature by the relatively enormous size of Ponytail's head.<br /> The dialogue confirms that it emits clouds of water vapour as a humidifier, which mimic the appearance of the exhaust plume of a full-size rocket.<br /> <br /> This comic appeared the day after the death of Peter Cosgrave, who is known for photographing the launch of the space shuttle many times.<br /> <br /> The title text references the failed o-ring that led to the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger and the death of all on board. <br /> the failure of the o-ring was due to poor statistical analysis of the failure under launch conditions for that day causing the launch to be pushed forward at lower temperatures then what is acceptable.<br /> For the humidifier to vent gas from this opening is indeed in poor taste.<br /> <br /> ==Transcript==<br /> {{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br /> <br /> {{comic discussion}}</div>

Aerosmurf