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Cody Dawg · Jul 3, 2006, 08:04 PM

NASA decides that the space shuttle should still go tomorrow, July 4th, despite having a foam problem.

Am I the only one that thinks this is foolish?

Pendergast · Jul 3, 2006, 08:10 PM

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

NASA decides that the space shuttle should still go tomorrow, July 4th, despite having a foam problem.

Am I the only one that thinks this is foolish?

Thank goodness, with your PhD in physics and engineering degree in material resistance, these astronauts will be saved.

Go tell those NASA incompetent batards! Tell them how stupid they are! Come on!

You have truth on your side!

blackbird_1.0 · Jul 3, 2006, 08:11 PM

I agree you, Cody. I think their jumping the shark.

Cody Dawg · Jul 3, 2006, 08:15 PM

I think going up is going to be fine.

But, the stress of going up might further weaken the foam and make it even more dangerous coming back in on the way back.

I remember watching Challenger blow up from my front porch way back when...I was sitting there in my townhouse on the beach having grapefruit and tea when I saw the shuttle come apart. From the radio transmission it sounded as though the shuttle was just flying down the coast of Florida...had no idea that it was sinking into the Atlantic.

Then, when Columbia came back to earth and disintegrated I saw that also albeit on television...saw the millions of little pieces scatter like white stars and was in disbelief once again.

If the shuttle comes apart this time the space shuttle program is finished for good.

Cody Dawg · Jul 3, 2006, 08:21 PM

Pendergast, you should change your name to Pendergassed:

Thank goodness, with your PhD in physics and engineering degree in material resistance, these astronauts will be saved.

Go tell those NASA incompetent batards! Tell them how stupid they are! Come on!

You have truth on your side!

Maybe these people know what they're talking about? Or do you doubt them also?

NASA's decision to resume shuttle flights this summer is not without controversy.

In the weeks leading up to the launch, two NASA officials, chief engineer Chris Scolese and chief safety officer Bryan O'Connor, gave a "no go" for the launch.

This launch would be only the second shuttle flight since Columbia disintegrated during re-entry in 2003, killing all seven astronauts on board.

Link

Pendergast · Jul 3, 2006, 08:23 PM

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

If the shuttle comes apart this time the space shuttle program is finished for good.

But then, astronaut's lives are not an issue, right?

So you blow the whistle on the potential destruction of the Shuttle, but your care is about the program???

Time for some corrections in your posts Cody.

Cody Dawg · Jul 3, 2006, 08:30 PM

Pendergast, what the hell are you talking about?

You are SO weird.

As for the entry-into-service date for the Crew Exploration Vehicle, such a calendar date "must be a goal, not a hard requirement," Bille advised. "Space flight will never be risk-free, but it must be pursued as safely as technology allows. A fatal accident with either Shuttle or CEV will likely mean the end of human spaceflight for a generation."

From Space.com site

The Godfather · Jul 3, 2006, 08:43 PM

With the remote-controlled descent ability, the chances of astronaut fatality reduce to under 0.005.

http://www.space.com/missionlaunches..._newtools.html

Cody Dawg · Jul 3, 2006, 08:45 PM

So, what does that mean? I guess I'm dense...you're saying that having a remote controlled descent will protect the shuttle from having foam fall off due to stress and/or ice?

???

The Godfather · 09:00 PM

No. I am saying that no one will die in an R/C operation. And given the 0.01 chances of shuttle failure that's reported by the media, divide that by 2 and you get 0.005.

Adam Betts · Jul 3, 2006, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

If the shuttle comes apart this time the space shuttle program is finished for good.

Yeah, if british kept dying while exploring for new lands, the trip is finished

JFischel · Jul 3, 2006, 09:55 PM

Isn't the foam on a assembly on the external fuel tank? If it's cracked and falls off it's going to do it's damage on ascent no decent. The tank stays behind in the outter atmosphere and burns up on re-entry when the orbiter goes into outter space.

Cody's comment just got me thinking...

Continue your evenings...

Josh

stevesnj · Jul 3, 2006, 10:09 PM

The Godfather · Jul 3, 2006, 10:24 PM

Actually, all solid rocket boosters are recovered and reused, they are not disposable.

Also, when the shuttle's heat-resistant tiles (black belly) get damaged, it risks getting burned in re-entry.

Landos Mustache · Jul 3, 2006, 10:38 PM

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Am I the only one that thinks this is foolish?

Nope, and lets hope you won't have to clean it off your lawn tomorrow.

Gator Lager · Jul 3, 2006, 11:56 PM

people people please, take what the press writes and reports about the program with a grain of salt. I saw the location that the foam fell from just 2 hours ago. and with those photos the discrepant area looks massive. it's not. and that location and the amount/size that fell off is not critical.

yes the damn foam is a major pain, but the foam people are doing all they can to prevent any foam loss. I hate foam and try not to get near the damn stuff. makes me itch.

as for the size of the foam piece, well one of the female OP's personal said it the best when she finally saw the piece of foam and said

" thats the size of the foam piece, I heard it was bigger. it must have been a man to make that size description"

that cracked everyone up. touché

anyway the astronauts know the facts and risks and are willing to return to space flight.

on a personal note. when we lost the crew and columbia, I cried and I wasn't the only one that cried that day.

so that memory is still fresh. if I thought there was a problem and was being covered up, I'd run to the press with the facts. but I'd have to get in line to do so.

so if your a praying person mention the crew in your prayers, if not, well good thoughts will do.

to Godfather, maybe next time you come over for a launch the weather will be better.

chabig · Jul 4, 2006, 12:04 AM

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

I think going up is going to be fine.

But, the stress of going up might further weaken the foam and make it even more dangerous coming back in on the way back.

The foam is on the external tank, which doesn't come back with the orbiter.

Peter · Jul 4, 2006, 06:29 AM

USA should just abandon the entire project, ridiculous

Andy8 · Jul 4, 2006, 07:05 AM

Originally Posted by Peter

USA should just abandon the entire project, ridiculous

If they want to keep using the shuttle, send it up unmanned! It does not need the crew, as it can all be handled by remote.

A very big 4th of July fire cracker?

Cody Dawg · Jul 4, 2006, 07:06 AM

A 4th of July firecracker?

That makes me cry.

Wiskedjak · Jul 4, 2006, 07:38 AM

The firecracker analogy is inevitable. NASA's own fault for switching to the 4th of July a launch which has the potential to suffer the same fate as Columbia.

Cody Dawg · Jul 4, 2006, 07:50 AM

Hey, Wiskedjak, you're right.

It's actually in very poor taste if you think about it.

Peter · Jul 4, 2006, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by Andy8

If they want to keep using the shuttle, send it up unmanned! It does not need the crew, as it can all be handled by remote.

A very big 4th of July fire cracker?

exactly.
Given the amount of money NASA spends, im in awe they cannot just use unmanned shuttles.

Gator Lager · Jul 4, 2006, 09:00 AM

no meaning launching today, july 4th. it's just the luck of the draw.

after today's launch (please) that will complete the test part of the C.A.I.B. requirements for return to flight (that is all the new procedures and equipment that was required to return to normal flight). what that really means is night launches. more launch opportunities at night.
oh hell here it comes ' NASA won't be able to see the foam falling of during ascent...etc'
thats the new equipment I just mentioned. more camera's (visual and IR) and new tracking radar... really neat stuff. but that's beyond my purview. I'm a shuttle puke.

but the really sad part is once we get back to a normal launch schedule, the press and coverage goes away. even the lot of you, go away. you watch your normal soap opera oprah dr phip desprate housewives tv shows. and you just forget all about the space program and us.

but not now with the possibility of death to be shown on live t.v., well now that's different.

just like that Donald Henley song 'dirty laundry'.
We got the bubble-headed-bleach-blonde who
Comes on at five
She can tell you bout the plane crash with a gleam
In her eye
Its interesting when people die-
Give us dirty laundry

so you'll just have to get used to me pounding my chest and being proud of the fact that I work on the shuttles and have a dislike for the press. I know the facts. you are being fed by the press and trust me those people are idiots

NASA bends over backwards for them. gives them all the information they need or want. and still they report the BAD news.

Originally Posted by Peter

exactly.
Given the amount of money NASA spends, im in awe they cannot just use unmanned shuttles.

Hey Peter, you might want to ask this chap (Piers Sellers) if it's worth the risk
http://tinyurl.com/z2f42

and yes it we can use the shuttle unmanned and that was and still might be discussed. the only thing that the ground team can't do is deploy the landing gear. kinda need those for a proper landing. but if you switch the shuttle over to unmanned, then no worries and simple mod to allow the deployment of the gear from a signal from the ground, then you'd have a fully functional unmanned (no danger to flight crew) shuttle.

and if you have concerns or idea go here
http://corport.hq.nasa.gov/rtf_suggestions/index.cfm

Eriamjh · Jul 4, 2006, 08:06 PM

Well, it launched. Safely.

SShoot3r · Jul 4, 2006, 11:54 PM

and beautifully

residentEvil · Jul 5, 2006, 07:45 AM

and hdnet was there again. what fantastic video.

Gossamer · Jul 5, 2006, 07:57 AM

Anyone know a good place to find a video of the launch?

residentEvil · Jul 5, 2006, 08:22 AM

hdnet and voom hd world news replays the launch often...check out their websites for downloads.

Landos Mustache · Jul 5, 2006, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by Gossamer

Anyone know a good place to find a video of the launch?

It is on CNN.

And 5 pieces of foam fell off.

olePigeon · Jul 5, 2006, 10:25 AM

Anyone else notice that "NASA TV" is "broadcast" on Windows Media and Real, but 99% of everything else at NASA is QuickTime?

I still don't understand why people do that. You can pay money to provide Windows Media formats and Real formats, or, you can offer QuickTime for free.

Sigh. Anyway, the launch was damn awesome. Nothing like it anywhere. The power is incredible!

Gossamer · Jul 5, 2006, 11:03 AM

Wow...I heard on the CNN video that the smaller boosters use half a ton of rocket fuel per second.