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Shuttle Atlantis Launched Without Incident

Posted by Zonk on from the up-up-and-away dept.

forkazoo writes "Space.com is reporting the successful launch of the space shuttle Atlantis. There were no major incidents or problems during the launch, except that there was some concern about the weather at the two European abort landing sites. The weather cleared up and the launch was pretty much perfect. 'Preliminary analysis of images taken by onboard cameras revealed expected "popcorning" foam loss during ascent but none that appeared to strike the orbiter. NASA has kept a close watch on the shedding of fuel tank foam insulation during shuttle launches since the 2003 Columbia accident, which claimed the lives of seven astronauts, and made modifications to reduce the amount of debris shed during liftoffs.' The launch was broadcast live NASA TV stream."

5 of 102 comments (clear)

  1. Sad. by DAldredge · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It is sad that a Shuttle launching with no problems is major news.

    1. Re:Sad. by ronadams · · Score: 4, Insightful

      A shuttle launch is an amazing work of technology. So, no, it's really great that it's major news. [flamebait answer]What's wrong? Not enough carnage or NASCAR for you?[/flamebait answer]

      --
      Appended to the end of comments you post. 120 chars.
    2. Re:Sad. by DAldredge · · Score: 4, Insightful

      It is sad in that it is now June and this is the first launch of the year. Such lauches should be such a common occurance that they aren't great and/or amazing news. That is what is sad in all this.

  2. Why did the foam become an issue only this decade? by NevDull · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Is it only me wondering why the foam thing wasn't a problem in the 80s and 90s, and then after it came up as an issue, the people who pulled off some fantastic stuff with the Mars rovers are surprised when they don't have a problem with the foam, and everything is so tenuous?

  3. Re:foam of doom inside the tank by Harmonious+Botch · · Score: 3, Insightful

    ...wouldn't it be safer/smarter to have it INSIDE the tank its self? The problem is, I think, simply a decrease in volume for fuel. The tank has two separate sub-tanks ( H2 plus LOX, plus a third section for control stuff ). Each one would have to be lined. They would probably want to line the third compartment too to prevent stresses from unequal thermal expansion.
    Then there is also the problem of foam acting chemically with the fuel or oxidizer. It now needs a liner. That is a lot of volume, and now the shuttle does not have enough room for fuel and oxidizer.

    Anyway, that's my best guess.