Slashdot Mirror


107 Cameras to Scan Discovery for Damage

neutron_p writes "We already know that NASA has prepared for space shuttle rescue mission if a crisis arises during Discovery's return to flight. NASA wants to avoid any risk, that's why they also installed 107 cameras which will film and photograph the orbiter's first two minutes of ascent from every angle scanning for pieces of insulation foam or ice fall off during the launch and strike the shuttle, the kind of damage that doomed its predecessor Columbia. Cameras will be installed around the launch pad and at distances of 6 to 60 kilometers (some 3.5 to 35 miles) away, as well as on board of two airplanes and on the shuttle itself."

6 of 261 comments (clear)

  1. Why? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    What are they gonna' do? Abort after it's 100' off the pad?

  2. Well by Quasar1999 · · Score: 5, Funny

    If it explodes, we'll have enough angles to recreate an exact 3d model of what happend. COOL. If it doesn't, we still have enough to create a nice 3d model of the launch. This will push the wave of new 3d tv's... hmm... getting ahead of myself again.

    --

    ---
    Programming is like sex... Make one mistake and support it the rest of your life.
  3. Bullet time by anandpur · · Score: 4, Funny

    Bullet time is a concept introduced in recent films and computer games whereby the passage of time is displayed as hyper slow or frozen moments in order to allow observe imperceptually fast events such as flying bullets.

    In The Matrix, the camera path was pre-designed using computer-generated visualizations as a guide. Cameras were arranged on a track and aligned through a laser targeting system, forming a complex curve through space. The cameras were then triggered at extremely close intervals, so the action continued to unfold, in extreme slow-motion, while the viewpoint moved.

    from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullet-time

  4. This is what its all about by Excelsior · · Score: 3, Funny

    that's why they also installed 107 cameras which will film and photograph...from every angle

    Humanity is blessed to gain the technology advances pioneered by CBS's Big Brother.

  5. Re:Flashback by Citizen+of+Earth · · Score: 4, Funny

    still I would have felt better if one of the state troopers had lent me his Glock for the trip.

    I wouldn't.

  6. Re:American miles? by Xtifr · · Score: 3, Funny

    > 6km is approx 3.7 miles not 3.5 and
    > 60km is 37 miles and not 35

    What? You're full of crap! 6km is approx 3.728 miles, not 3.7, and 60km is 37.28 miles, not 37!

    for the humor-impaired: :) :) :)