Space Shuttles almost Ready to Re-Launch

stagmeister writes "CNN and Space.com are reporting that the Return to Flight Task Group, the overseeing committee that determines when the Space Shuttles can go back into space, has reported that the only items blocking the Shuttles are issues 'related to tank debris, orbiter hardening and tile repair.' They plan to re-meet in later this month to finalize their decision. However, 'NASA has made clear it intends to resume shuttle flights with the repair capabilities it has in hand without knowing for sure whether they would work in an emergency.' Would you want your children flying a space shuttle that hasn't been properly beta-tested?"

Comments

Cue Helen Lovejoy!

[Karl Cocknozzle]

Would you want your children flying a space shuttle that hasn't been properly beta-tested?

Won't someone PLEASE think of the childen!

Obligatory Steve Buscemi Quote ...

[SuperDuG]

Rockhound - "You know we're sitting on four million pounds of fuel, one nuclear weapon and a thing that has 270,000 moving parts built by the lowest bidder. Makes you feel good, doesn't it?"

It seemed fitting ...

Re:Spirit of exploration wins out over safety a lo

[fdisk3hs]

..."told them up front there was a 5% chance they wouldn't be coming back"...
It's probably more like a 5% chance that they WILL be coming back. Who cares? I'll go.
"Gentlemen, we need to know where we stand from a position of status. What do we got left on the ship that is good?" Gene Krantz

Re:The Only Things?

[Anonymous Coward]

I really hate when people compare the obvious benefits of imperial conquest with the uselessness of the Space Shuttle.

Re:Heck Yeah

[Anonymous Coward]

Screw the kids

Uh... I think that's illegal.

Task Group CYA

[Urusai]

It's a blue-ribbon panel harrumphing and nodding as NASA does whatever it wants to. Did you expect something different from our government? I'm just surprised they don't have to consult the Flat Earth Society or put a disclaimer sticker on the Shuttle like:
" This spacecraft was designed using science. Science is an unproven theory, nor is it mentioned in the Bible, so weigh these facts carefully and with skepticism as you decide if you are in with Jesus enough to ride the Shuttle without blowing up. "

Misleading article

[MikeSty]

"Space Shuttles almost Ready to Re-Launch" Great ... but ... are they ready to land?

Re:The Only Things?

[cowscows]

Yeah, and don't forget one of the biggest contradictions in the space shuttle. It has to not only be controllable in space, it also has to be maneuverable in the atmosphere. Two entirely different situations, each causing problems for the other. I don't know why they didn't just go all out and make it work underwater as well.

Really, if you want a kickass spacecraft, make something that only has to function in space. Then wrap it up inside a big rocket, and have that put your ship up into space.