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| Debris spotted from Discovery |
| 2005-07-26 |
| EFL CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Discovery and seven astronauts blasted into orbit Tuesday on America's first manned space shot since the 2003 Columbia disaster, ending a painful, 2 1/2-year shutdown devoted to making the shuttle less risky and NASA more safety-conscious. Video showed what appeared to be a large piece of debris flying off the external fuel tank two minutes into the flight. The object did not seem to hit the orbiter. Footage also showed what might have been at least two light-colored objects flying off Discovery as the shuttle cleared the launch pad. Deputy shuttle program manager Wayne Hale raised the possibility that the light-colored objects were harmless pieces of paper that protect Discovery's thrusters before launch. But he insisted it was too soon to say what the cameras may have picked up, and he gave assurances the multitude of images will be examined frame by frame in the coming hours and days. "No telling what might be there or what's not there — we hope nothing," he said. So do I. |
| Posted by:Jackal |
| #7 The ISS is an Unstated Dire Emergency™. The ISS and NASA have lost their way and do not have a clear vision of what their mission is. We should be testing out the prototypes of the replacement of the Shuttle now. But due to lack of vision at the top of government, we are playing with tired technology. One does not pull major concepts and equipment out of one's a$$. This is a continuing process, and the US is has fallen behind in all this. Hell, look at our public infrastructure: roads, bridges, public buildings. We have spent Billions and Billions™ on feel-good stuff and have neglected the basic, boring, non-glamourous stuff for decades. Comes down to lack of leadership and vision. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2005-07-26 21:29 |
| #6 Did it seem to anyone else that there might be an unstated Dire Emergency™ on the ISS driving the necessity of launching now? Sheesh |
| Posted by: Frank G 2005-07-26 20:27 |
| #5 Kalle- My understanding is that if for some reason Discovery couldnt make it back, she will remain docked to the ISS, and the Russians will boost up two Soyuz to bring everybody back. Unfortunately, that would be the end of the shuttle program and most likely the ISS as well. The reason Columbia couldn't do that - even if they had known - was that as the oldest shuttle, she was heavier than her sisters by quite some distance and was physically unable to reach the ISS. Endeavour, Atlantis and Discovery are much lighter and can reach ISS without any problems. Mike |
| Posted by: Mike Kozlowski 2005-07-26 20:22 |
| #4 And if the NASA program manager is told there are tiles that have been lost, what do they choose to do? stay in orbit forever? |
| Posted by: Kalle (kafir forever) 2005-07-26 19:55 |
| #3 No amount of money could get me on that ancient wreck. Built and maintained by the lowest bidder. Supported and modified by hell's own bureaucrats.... NO WAY! Now something simple and sensible like SpaceShip one.... yes. |
| Posted by: 3dc 2005-07-26 19:54 |
| #2 So fix your little problem and lite the fuse on this ********* |
| Posted by: Icy Commander 2005-07-26 19:52 |
| #1 Discovery and seven astronauts blasted into orbit Tuesday on America's first manned space shot since the 2003 Columbia disaster, ending a painful, 2 1/2-year shutdown devoted to making the shuttle less risky and NASA more safety-conscious. Later on in the piece, it says: If the sensors had acted up before liftoff, the space agency had been prepared to bend its safety rules to get the shuttle flying. Alllllllllrighty then.... |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2005-07-26 19:40 |