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Topic Last Updated on 17-07-2024
The name “black box” is a bit misleading. In reality, it’s not always black and isn’t necessarily shaped like a box. “Flight recorders,” which is what they’re called in technical terms, are coated with a heat-resistant orange paint and have light-reflective elements — a bright object is easier to find in the wreckage after a plane crash. The “box” has either a spherical or cylindrical shape, which are the least vulnerable to destruction. In essence, a flight recorder is similar to a flash drive, only more heavily protected: its memory board is hidden behind stainless-steel armor and thermal insulation. Such a construction allows the black box to withstand:
temperatures of 2,012 °F for up to one hour;
the impact of hitting a concrete wall at a speed of 466 mph;
2.5 t of pressure for at least five consecutive minutes;
a depth of 19,685 ft underwater for one month.
In the event that the airplane crashes above water, the recorder is equipped with an ultrasonic beacon. Upon contact with water, it sends a signal that facilitates the subsequent search.
