This is in reference to the "Challenger" explosion in 1986.
My, oversimplifed, view is that I understood that when the SRB 'exploded' it detached from the assembly, swung around and slammed in to the main vehicle. This caused the Orbiter to be pushed outside it's flight envelope and explode because of the stresses on the aircraft.
Then again, what the heck do I know... I'm only a pilot.
Neil Harrison
AOPA Member
Purdue University Student