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Space Shuttle Columbia Breaks Up Over Texas

An anonymous reader writes "NASA lost communication with space shuttle Columbia shortly before its scheduled landing on Saturday. It was unclear whether there were any other problems." Various news programs have been showing debris falling from the sky, and NASA has declared an emergency.Update: 02/01 15:29 GMT by H : Confirmation has come - the shuttle has broken up over Texas while coming in for landing Florida.

52 of 2,115 comments (clear)

  1. figures by DSL-Admin · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    I sent this in and they rejected it... figures.. I think this site is a scam, where only people who know they writers get posted

    1. Re:figures by sjanich · · Score: -1, Flamebait

      You shithead.

    2. Re:figures by donnacha · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      ...only people who know they writers get posted

      Or, indeed, people who can spell.

  2. Looks like we Need Another Seven Astronauts by multipartmixed · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Finally, I can reuse my Challenger jokes!

    --

    Do daemons dream of electric sleep()?
    1. Re:Looks like we Need Another Seven Astronauts by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

      Fuck you. This is no time for jokes.

    2. Re:Looks like we Need Another Seven Astronauts by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      Is it not?

      How many jokes did you fucking Americans make about Afghanistan while killing thousands there? But they don't count, they're only Afghans. But whenever a fucking American dies, everybody has to be upset.

      Guess what, most people outside the US have a good laugh every time some American dies. Why people hate Americans so much? Because obviously Americans love to kill foreigners, whoever they are. Why else would it be standard procedure for every president of your country to send troops somewhere to kill someone every time they feel their popularity in the US needs a little boost? And it works every time, so obviously you folks have no respect for non-American lives. Why should the rest of the world have any respect for your lives?

    3. Re:Looks like we Need Another Seven Astronauts by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

      IN responce to the Afghany mother fucker, Thats ok we laugh evertime one of you Rag headed sand niggers gets killed.

      Oh yeah There is no GOD you stupid fucking shit!~

  3. It's all a conspiracy... by gspr · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    OMG a conspiracy between Osama Bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, that north korean guy, and Cowboy Neal! Ok maybe not so nice to joke about it... but still.

  4. Who ever said.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Who ever said linux doesn't crash?

  5. Other links.. by thedude · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    http://www.space.com/shuttlemissions/
    http://www.msnbc.com/news/857733.asp?0cv=CA00

    And apple has already changed their homepage.. How long till our President blames this on a certian Middle Eastern country? My thoughts go to NASA and the families of the crew.

  6. Re:God rest their souls by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Not a time to be smiling. You smile at a concert or a peaceful anti-war protest, when history is being made, not when a disastor occurs.

  7. did it hit the earth yet? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    did it hit the earth yet? we've been seeing the same scenes of it falling to the earth but shouldn't it have hit by now???

  8. Yeah, but what about an Andromeda Strain? by SexyKellyOsbourne · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    There's honestly no telling what other space-borne diseases, mutant bacteria, secret black classified projects, and so forth.

    In fact, there could be even nuclear materials onboard -- and even one gram of plutonium released into the atmosphere could poison half of America!

    It's no wonder that a LOT of teams are being mobilized to that area, X-Files style.

  9. MODERATORS DO YOUR JOBS!!!! by MisterSquid · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    I'm all about humor, but your insensitivity is astonishing. Furthemore, your joke isn't even funny and some lame-brained mod gives you "Interesting"?

    Hey, SexKellkyOsbourne? Fuck you. I hope you remember this moment when one of your own eats shit.

    --
    blog
  10. Re:Armadillo Rockets could do it, why not bin Lade by Lars+T. · · Score: 0, Flamebait
    Sure.

    Much more likely that it was a CIA or Mossad job.

    Note that I don't claim that it was, it's just much more probable than you theory. And both Agencies have killed Americans and Israelies before - not to mention others.

    --

    Lars T.

    To the guy who modded me down from perfect to terrible Karma - Apple haters still suck

  11. Re:Space Shuttle by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Fuck them. They were just doing research to bring to the ol' U.S. of A. new science and technology that would be used to bomb the shit out of just another country in its way. That a jew was in the crew was not a coincidence, as we know they share they knowledge with their vassal state, Israel.

  12. NO by SexyKellyOsbourne · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    The Satanist realizes that man, and the action and reaction of the universe, is responsible for everything, and doesn't mislead himself into thinking that someone cares.... The Satanist knows that praying does absolutely no good -- in fact, it actually lessens the chance of success, for the devoutly religious too often sit back complacently and pray for a situation which, if they were to do something about it on their own, could be accomplished much quicker.

    -Anton LaVey

    That means you should unfold your hands and give blood, give donation money to the families of the victims, and call your Congressmen and Senators and tell them to not terminate space exploration -- right now!

  13. Re:Please by A+Gremlin+In+Kremlin · · Score: 1, Flamebait

    No, I wont say a small prayer. I suggest a scientific approach, if we want to decrease the probability of this happening next time.
    But just because I'm not religious, doesn't mean I don't care about what happened, or that I don't care about the seven astronauts and their friends and families.

    --
    bius sig file. This is a moebius sig file. This is a moe
  14. Re:I heard it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    That's irritating. They're making terrorism speculations (at least on the radio) because of an Israeli on board. Does he have a history of terrorism?

    No; the speculation is that muslim terrorists may have made the shuttle a target because their enemy (an Israeli) was aboard. Considering that specific threats against the shuttle WERE MADE by some muslim terrorist groups, the consideration of terrorism is not unreasonable, and certainly not "going backwards socially". However, due to the timing and circumstances around the shuttle event (altitude, etc.) the only way terrorism would be involved is if there had been sabotage within NASA itself (terrorist agents within the work crews, for example). While this is possible, it is somewhat unlikely.

    People with tan colored skin == terrorists: It's the new societally acceptable prejudice!

    No, people who make specific terrorist threats are considered suspected terrorists when an event related to the threat they made actually occurs. Don't let your political correct mind-view blind you to the fact that there really are a bunch of people with "tan colored skin" that really do want to kill you. Of course, the reason they want to kill you has nothing to do with their "tan colored skin" (and everything to do with their f*cked-up religion), but that does nothing to change the situation.

  15. According to Fox, Muslims are now CELEBRATING!!! by SexyKellyOsbourne · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Columbia was the finest in its fleet, and shuttle experts made absolutely sure that it would not have any problems for this historic mission.

    NASA engineers are the best in the world, and don't make mistakes; only a deliberate, very malicious attempt would bring our space shuttle down.

  16. ISS by Lord_Byron · · Score: 2, Flamebait

    Imagine the horror for the people still on ISS.

  17. Re:Not funny in any way by perfects · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    > Realize that some people make jokes about
    > tragedies. It makes them feel better.

    I understand that. Completely. But posting sophomoric, heartless comments less than an hour after the loss of seven lives is no more apppropriate than heckling the mourners at a funeral.

  18. What does NASA stand for? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Need another seven astronauts.

  19. Re:Not funny in any way by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    An Iraqi, an Afghani and a Palestinian are in bar. The Iraqi says, "The pigdog Americans support Israel! We ill bomb them back to the Stone Age!" The Afghani says, "Those Americans are always helping out the Israelis! We will spread anthrax across the land!" The Palestinian says, "...Well, actually we've decided to support the American space program." The two others turn to him and scream, "What?!? Why would you do such a thing?!"

    The Palestinian replies, "We figure one Israeli per shuttle is a pretty good deal."

  20. Jesus Christ will kick your ass. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    He might not turn the other cheek for you, buddy.

  21. Cool by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    American tax dollars at work.

  22. Re:I heard it by z_gringo · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Good. Im glad you get it. Yes, Muslims suck, and the religion is repulsive, repressive, and vile. Of course, that could be said of several religions.

    Clearly this was a terrible accident, and not related to the muslim terrorists plagueing our planet these days...

    --
    -- -- Warning. Do not stare directly at the sun.
  23. Tasteless shuttle jokes from the archive by sbjornda · · Score: -1, Flamebait
    For efficiency's sake, here's a collection of tasteless shuttle jokes from the last time around. Let's not re-invent the wheel, folks.

    http://www.netfunny.com/rhf/jokes/88q3/16840.12.ht ml

    .nosig

  24. Put Your Hand Back Into Your Ass... by Acidic_Diarrhea · · Score: 0, Flamebait
    and stop pulling things out of it.

    First of all, it's "regime." Second of all, you don't know how this is going to impact NASA. This might lead to a full investigation of NASA, how things are done there, and many of the problems that have become entrenched in their way of doing business. Don't start making uninformed statements about the long range when you don't even know what the current situation is. Let's suppose a bomb was planted on board. This appears to be very unlikely but let's suppose it is true since we don't know what happened yet. So then, the Bush administration (don't call them a regime you narrow-minded little fucktard) would be resolved to not let the terrorists win and ensure that NASA was given more money. Your idle thoughts are not only inappropriate at this time but also so vague and without backing that they are almost laughable - although I can't really laugh about all this right now and you've only pissed me off asshole.

    --
    I hate liberals. If you are a liberal, do not reply.
  25. FUNNY!?!? WHAT THE FUCK!?!?! by caveat · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    ASSHOLE (moderator), SINCE WHEN IS ANYTHING ABOUT HUMAN TRAGEDY FUNNY? you insensitive, inhuman, soulless piece of dog shit dickwad...note the prior post pointing out exactly how unfunny this is, i couldn't agree more. and to the poster: it's an expression, a small prayer, just desigend to give those who do have faith some comfort in their faith. just because you think it's foolish and medivial to believe in a deity doesn't mean other won't, and that they won't try and get some consolation from their faith at a time like this.

    --

    Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored. - Aldous Huxley
  26. +1, Funny by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    That was some funny shit.

  27. Re:Please by DAldredge · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Do us all a favor and go kill yourself. I don't fucking care if you are religious or not, you don't have to attack those of us that are.

  28. Re:Please for the rest of us...STFU by bubblegoose · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Wow dude, your foes counter probably went up today.

    Hopefully they list in chronological order, then I can say I'm the first.

    --
    I hope that someday we will be able to put away our fears and prejudices and just laugh at people. - Jack Handey
  29. Space Shuttle running Linux. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    As a software developer that worked on smaller sub systems of the space shuttle applications.

    The OS: Linux, the language: Java.

    I wonder if Linux crashed or Java had another one of those "mysterious" exception errors that only appear every 100 times you run the application and don't appear again for another 100.

    It's obvious computer failure of sometype because the computers take over once the hit the atmosphere.

    Poor Linux. Not as great as once thought.

  30. BAD OMEN! by ylikone · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    US and Israel get blown up and pieces scattered over Palestine!

    --
    Meh.
  31. Re:Too high and too fast for missiles... by Lord+Sauron · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Breaking news: It was terrorism indeed.

    You know that small miniature space shuttles NASA sells ? Most people put it over their desk. Most people that buy that are tourists that go to Florida or people who like science.

    But not everyone. A small group of evil and ugly terrorists got possession of one of these miniatures; thus they were able to do a very hard and complex - but effective - voodoo ritual, involving that miniature and some matches.

  32. Re:I heard it by The+AtomicPunk · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    The problem with Muslims isn't that they're all terrorists.

    The problem is that few Muslims have actually spoken out against the terrorists.

    In fact, it appears that most Muslim countries at least unofficially celebrated the terrorist attacks.

  33. Re:God rest their souls by Beliskner · · Score: 0, Flamebait
    Let them watch cartoons. Do they really need to know about everything bad in the world right when it happens, live?
    If you live in the United States, they should watch it, otherwise they'll not fit in at school and get beaten up by jocks. In an oppressive Communism, they won't need to watch the news as this would just build a sense of needing to know in the children, which would get them in trouble with the Stazi or KGB. No point teaching your children to become criminals. Maybe they'd commit a worse offince by using the alphabet you teach them to read the instructions to PGP which is a hanging offence in some oppressive dictatorships (suspicion).

    My nephew starts throwing chairs around when I try to teach him the alphabet, so I don't bother, and neither does his father. I mean why do you need to teach your kids to learn the alphabet if all they can do with it is watch propoganda on CNN, and read propoganda in NYTimes and then bitch about the world on Slashdot?

    --
    A caveman dreams of being us, the incalculable power and riches. We dream of being Q, then what?
  34. You are sick! by Ironix · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    This is excellent news for my short position on the market!

    Hmm... So a few people died and the nation mourns. Sick... You are all SICK!

    I never hear ANY sadness for the more than 20,000 civilians who have died as a result of US bombing in Afghanistan!! 20,000! And now you are all sad over a handful dead... You people never cease to amaze me.

    --
    Still #1 -- Lonely Gay Geek
  35. Re:Just to pre-empt a few arguments before they st by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Conspiracy Theory:

    Bush tested the Star Wars anti-missile system on the space shuttle.

  36. Re:God rest their souls by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Is there any correlation between this crash and the announcement that this shuttle was the first use of RedHat in space?

    Maybe should have used windows xp.

  37. Re:From Auschwitz to Heaven by McFly69 · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Quote from South Park; "I havn't seen a jew run that fast (or fly in this case) since Poland, 1939!"



    I hate to say it, but when I saw clips of the explosion, I had the song from the Mel Brook's film, History of the World Part I. Refrain "Cuz were jews in space...."

    --



    NO! NO! Please don't mod me, I'm too young to die a troll. *click* Oh the pain, the pain...
  38. Re:Shuttle, Gliding, x-plane, and a theory by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Maybe because US news media is, by default, quite clueless?

  39. Iraqi reaction by Crapflooder+Supreme · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    CBS just revealed the Iraqi reaction to the incident...

    Iraqi officials are overjoyed. They see it as nothing less than Allah's retribution for America's evil actions.

    What a surprise.

    --
    "Don't worry, it's not loaded." --Terry Kath
  40. Re:Too high and too fast for missiles... by long_john_stewart_mi · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    You know, I'm getting tired of all this 'terrorism' stuff. Ever since 9/11 everything that goes wrong HAS to be terrorism. People are so paranoid about everything they forget about common sense. If you look at how many things go wrong in this world simply due to HUMAN ERROR, it outweighs terrorism by a long shot. How many terrorist attacks have occurred in the United States, compared to different technical/equipment/human failures of some kind? Barely any. Even mentioning terrorism in a case like this is... well... kind of silly. That's like saying, "That waitress burned my toast! Maybe it was terrorism! Call the FBI!" This is like the days when people were all paranoid about Communism plaguing the US. Read the Crucible (if you haven't already), which was inspired by the McCarthy Hearings.

    --
    ...oOOo..'(_)'..oOOo...
  41. NASA Conspiracy Theories by BakerQ · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    "Well sir, we're just not making as much money as we used to when the space race was important...."
    "Hey, everyone, look over here... first teacher in space!" Boom. Money pours into NASA's coffers.
    "Well, we need extra money for the war effort, and people just weren't that interested in the International Space Station..."
    "Hey, everyone, look over here... first Isreali in space!" Boom. Money pours into NASA's coffers.

    I'm not big on conspiracy theories, but this was the big thing on my mind this morning when I saw the news. I doubt I'm the only one thinking it.

    1. Re:NASA Conspiracy Theories by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

      I doubt I'm the only one thinking it.

      Probably not, but you can most certainly count yourself among the few fringe freaks.

  42. linux by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    That's what happens when you run an unreliable NIH operating system like linux:

    BBC News looks at computers in space. NASA plans for each spacecraft and satellite to some day have their own net address. "To test the technology the Columbia space shuttle was fitted with an embedded PC that has a 233 MHz processor, 128 MB of RAM and a solid-state 144 MB hard drive. The computer is running Red Hat, a version of the Linux operating system, and is maintaining a connection with the Goddard Space Flight Center which will to try to contact the

    They should have stopped reinventing the round wheel as as square and just run the stable higher-performance FreeBSD operating system. I really wish someone would have told NASA about FreeBSD. There's no reason why anyone would want to run a BSD-wannabe like linux when they can run the real thing.

  43. Scott Peterson = Gary Condit by BTWR · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Just like Gary Condit is the man (American) who benifitted the most from Sept 11 diverting attention from his scandal, looks like Scott Peterson is going to bless this event too. If he's innocent, then I apologize, but if not, an guilty man may get off because there is no media pressure to get him convicted.

  44. Well, you know what they say... by User+956 · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Breaking up is hard to do.

    Oh wait, no it's not.

    --
    The theory of relativity doesn't work right in Arkansas.
  45. Re:$DEITY? by Stormie · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    I was in an Electronics store when the news broke, and people seemed to just stop buying stuff

    ..then the terrorists have already won.

  46. Re: $DEITY rest their souls by ScottKin · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Idiot.

    Do us all a favor and stop contemplating your own navel or practicing your daily onanism ritual.

    Things wouldn't be so crappy if the money-grubbing, left-leaning Internet Business Scam-business-owners hadn't artificially pumped-up the economy with falsified financial reports and cooked accounting books. Things fell apart when these schysters tried to cash themselves out because they knew that a Republican Administration would investigate them and throw all of them in the slammer before they could catch the next plane to Jammaica or Sierra-Leone or Zurich. Thankfully, The Rigas's and other Morally-corrupt CEOs are being rounded-up and arrested for their financial shenanigans.

    Crime *is* up because a good number of corrupt left-wing democrats are now out of work because "their boy" is no longer President and they have to survive. Why do you think that Clinton has is personal office in Harlem?

    The Democratic Party is being run by all of the high-powered (and mostly corrupt) Lawyers in Washington, DC. They hide behind the edifices of their Lawfirms, orchestrating the breakdown of American Society. That's who to blame, you PUTZ!

    ScottKin

    --
    I don't give a rat's behind about "karma" here or anywhere else. Don't like what I have to say here? Deal with it!