Large-scale failures of liquid-propellant rockets. TNT equivalences and intensities of explosions

Formation of charges of cryogenic heterogeneous explosive (CHE) after a bre ak of partition (diaphragm) between the tanks containing cryogenic liquid p ropellant components - fuel (liquid hydrogen or kerosine) and oxidizer (liq uid oxygen) is considered. A model of component mixing and CHE formation is suggested. The model is based on the theory of hydrodynamic instability of the contact surface between liquids. The structure, composition, TNT equiv alency, and the explosion yield of CHE charges in the case when a combined booster rocket impinges a rigid surface (ground, launching construction, or water). Examples of numerical calculations of TNT equivalencies and explos ion yield for hypothetical accidental explosions of some booster rockets an d their individual blocks are given.