(NTO) – to enter high-pressure helium tubes during ground processing. A slug of this NTO was driven through a helium check valve at high speed during rapid initialization of the launch escape system, resulting in structural failure within the check valve. The failure of the titanium component in a high-pressure NTO environment was sufficient to cause ignition of the check valve and led to an explosion.

The leak was apparently caused by a reaction between the nitrogen tetroxide and the titanium that comprises the tubes

It is worth noting that the reaction between titanium and NTO at high pressure was not expected. Titanium has been used safely over many decades and on many spacecraft from all around the world. Even so, the static fire test and anomaly provided a wealthThird baseman Travis Shaw slugged the first two home runs of his major league career and had four RBIs as the Boston Red Sox overcame another shaky start from Joe Kelly in an 11-7 win over the Tampa...

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jeff Locke went only four innings Thursday against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. He struggled, but the Bucs managed the win. (Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports)

Bucs win on another Locke off-night

By BILL BRINKPittsburgh Post-Gazette

SAN FRANCISCO — Wednesday's game once again made it evident. The Pirates need runs. They cannot always rely on their exceptional pitching staff.

The need for runs intensified Thursday, when Conway, N.H.'s Jeff Locke took the mound. This is second-half Jeff Locke we're talking about, not the man who put up All-Star numbers