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Wing Seals Blamed in Columbia's Demise

Posted by michael on from the yellow-and-blue-make-green dept.

MoonFacedAssassin writes "MSNBC has this article stating that a 'seal from Columbia's left wing was apparently the mystery object that floated away in orbit, and it was almost certainly struck by something - like a chunk of foam - before it came off, accident investigators said Tuesday.' The article also quoted Navy Rear Admiral Stephen Turcotte, a CAIB member, as having a confidence level 'up there near the 70s and 80s percent' about the T-seal."

8 of 252 comments (clear)

  1. Let me get this straight: by burgburgburg · · Score: 0, Redundant

    If we had only clubbed those wing seals when they were young, we would never have had this problem in the first place?

  2. Careful reading that one. by Civil_Disobedient · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Seals, as in something that prevents leaks. Wing, as in the shuttle's wing.

    Not flying aquatic finned-feet mammals that balance red balls on their noses and make funny "Orr Orr!" noises.

  3. As Buzz would say... by Red+Warrior · · Score: 0, Redundant

    seal from Columbia's left wing

    Buzz: "Why can't those left wingers from Columbia U. leave innocent seals out of thier nefarious plots?!"

    --
    "If, therefore, any be unhappy, let him remember that he is unhappy by reason of himself alone."
    ~Epictetus
  4. How many Columbia articles do we need? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Redundant

    I swear this Columbia disaster stories have been posted on /. too many times.

    "Scientists thing Columbia blew up because of the foam"

    "Scientists think seals are to blame"

    "Scientists think the astronauts must have died prior to the explosion"

    Do we really need a front page post every time some little thing changes?

  5. Another argument against animal cruelty... by RLiegh · · Score: 0, Redundant

    ...if they had used regular wings, instead of trained seals; this all could have been averted.

    [what do you mean 'rtfa'..? this is /. for gawd's sake!]

  6. Wing Seals? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Redundant

    Wing Seals are even nastier relatives of those things that were fucking with Shatner's plane and Bart's bus. Scary creatures indeed. Clearly the next shuttle will need some sort of defensive Gattling Gun for the next liftoff.

  7. Grey seal or Fur seal? by jm91509 · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Didn't think seals had the required aerodynamic properties to go into space.

    Well, I suppose if you pay fish you get ...

    (No offence intended :)

  8. Hate crimes by lightspawn · · Score: 0, Redundant

    I suppose this will get some people so angry they'll just go out and club the first baby seal they see.