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Updated Information On Columbia Shuttle Tragedy
Thanks to all the readers who have sent links related to today's shuttle disaster. An Associated Press story carried on Salon says that an independent board (with members from the Air Force, Navy, Transportation Department and other federal agencies) has been appointed to investigate the disaster. CNN is carrying official statement from President Bush. Rediff.com has an article on the life of Indian astronaut Kalpana Chawla. borisonanovitch points to "more info on the science aboard Columbia and links to other NASA research." fabel reminds us "Most of the media is focusing on the slight damage that ocurred at takeoff (that NASA discounted at the time) but STS-107 was *delayed* for 6 months (original launch date 19 Jul 2003) Update: 02/01 23:51 GMT by T : [Note, should read "2002."] because of
cracks in the propellant feed lines to the 3 main engines. A defect that could have caused catastrophic failure. Did the fix work or not?"
Has anybody explained why they couldn't have done a spacewalk to inspect the damage from the insulation strike? All I've heard is that it wouldn't have made any difference if they had done one, since they weren't equipped to repair it. I just don't buy the assertion that they wouldn't have had any options if they had discovered the damage. Once they knew of the problem, they could have worked out some sort of rescue plan, perhaps getting them out to the ISS, where they could have stayed until Endeavor could have been launched to go pick them up. Columbia could have been left at the ISS until a later mission could go out to repair it. In the words of our fearless leader, I still think they "misunderestimated" the situation.
Where is this coming from and why did this get moderated so informative? I have seen nothing on the news or anywhere else to suggest that NASA has a good idea what happened. Links anyone?
It's going to be quicker this time I think.
Computer modeling is *much* more advanced as is our understanding of hypersonic dynamics and materials science.
In 86-87 there was a Democratic House and Congress and the Democrats have a history of dragging thier feet on space*.
As soon as we know what happened it will be a little easier to figure out a work around, model it, then scale test and finally implement it.
Unlike '86 when Shuttle was powered up and there were more variables, this time may be easier.
This article suggests a wat that the Columbia incident might be terrorism and the website backs it up with hard to dissect science. Big science doesn't even claim to have all the answers, yet seems to constantly get stuck in a rut of not accepting or examining differing ideas. Does anyone have any good sites that prove this guy wrong? This website seems more interested in the social stigma involved with association with this guy than proving him wrong. What was that quote again about new ideas not becoming mainstream because of winning people over, but because their opponents died off?
The sad thing is, when the investigation is over it will turn out to be a stupid decision by a NASA chief, just like Challenger. If there was left wing damage, park it at the space station until another can go uo to take parts for repair or just to pick up the crew. It shouldn't be that big of a deal. Of course NASA group think won't allow planning for intelligent alternatives to catastrophy. Now they get the budget boost to fix things. Hell of a way to do business.
Professional Politicians are not the solution, they ARE the problem.
I for one am glad that you can look past such a great tragedy for the sake of being the first to preduct something.
--
the strongest word is still the word "free"
And less than 2% out of the total number of launches. And?
And if there were to be an accidental exchange of nuclear weapons between Russia and the United States I suppose you would claim in response that we've enjoyed nearly 20,000 incident-free days, is that right?
Is this truly the only Earth I can live on?
When the hell are we going to retire the damned shuttle? Please stop these expensive publicity stunts NASA, we know sending Isrealis to space has nothing to do with science and so do you.
In fact, please retire NASA. Seriously.
>80 column hard wrapped e-mail is not a sign of intelligent
>life