Moon, seismic experiments

Hexanitrostilbene or HNS (C14H6N6012) is a heat-resistant yellow crystalline solid explosive. HNS is also resistant to radiation, insensitive to electric sparks, and less sensitive to impact than tetryl. It is used in heat-resistant booster explosives and has been used in stage separations in space rockets and for seismic experiments on the moon. Its melting temperature is 316 °C.12... 

Hexanitroshlbene (HNS) has been reported for use in achieving stage separation in space rockets and also as a component of heat-resistant compositions employed in the Apollo spaceship and for seismic experiments on the moon [107]. Similar to HNS, 3,3 -diamino-2,2, 4,4, 6,6 -hexanitrodiphenyl (DIPAM) has also been reported for such applications [108]. 

Diamino-2,2, 4,4 6,6 -hexanitrodiphenyl (DIPAM) [Structure (2.30)] is extremely insensitive to electrostatic discharge, requiring more than 32 kj for initiation. In addition, it has good thermal stability (m.p. ca. 304 °C) and has been used to achieve stage separation in space rockets and for seismic experiments on the moon in a manner similar to HNS [74]. 

The literature suggests that thermally stable explosives such as HNS were employed for seismic experiments on the moon [61]. This is probably due to safety considerations while handling explosives for such applications on the lunar surface. 

HNS is used in heat-resistant booster explosives and has been used in the stage separation in space rockets and for seismic experiments on the moon. 

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