|
|
|
|
@tomic
Administrator
USA
4607 Posts |
 Posted - 02/01/2003 : 08:52:41
|
OMG! I just woke up and hit the news and this is what I wake to. I really don't know anything right now. They just keep showing a bunch of flaming wreckage decend but I am sure we can fill this in as we go. This is a very sad day 
@tomic
|
Gravity, not just a good idea...it's the law!
Sportsbettingacumen.com: The science of sports betting |
|
|
Megan
Skeptic Friend
USA
163 Posts |
 Posted - 02/01/2003 : 09:09:48 [Permalink]
|
Taken from abcnew.com
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. Feb. 1 —
Space shuttle Columbia apparently disintegrated in flames over Texas minutes before it was to land Saturday in Florida. TV video showed what appeared to be falling debris, as NASA declared an emergency and sent search teams to the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
In north Texas, several residents reported hearing "a big bang" at about 9 a.m., the same time all radio and data communication with the shuttle and its crew of seven was lost.
Officials in Washington said that there was no immediate indication of terrorism, and that President Bush was informed and awaiting more information from NASA.
Just over an hour after the shuttle had been expected to land, officials at Kennedy Space Center announced over loud speakers that a statement on the fate of the shuttle would be issued shortly. NASA warned people on the ground in Texas to stay away from any fallen debris.
It was the 113th flight in the shuttle program's 22 years and the 28th flight for Columbia, NASA oldest shuttle. Six Americans and Israel's first astronaut were on board.
Inside Mission Control, flight controllers hovered in front of their computers, staring at the screens after contact was lost. The wives, husbands and children of the astronauts who had been waiting at the landing strip were gathered together by NASA and taken to a secluded place.
"A contingency for the space shuttle has been declared," Mission Control somberly repeated over and over as no word or any data came from Columbia.
In 42 years of U.S. human space flight, there had never been an accident during the descent to Earth or landing. On Jan. 28, 1986, space shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after liftoff.
Shortly after Columbia lifted off Jan. 16, a piece of insulating foam on its external fuel tank came off and was believed to have hit the left wing of the shuttle. Leroy Cain, the lead flight director in Mission Control, assured reporters Friday that engineers had concluded that any damage to the wing was considered minor and posed no safety hazard.
Columbia had been aiming for a landing at 9:16 a.m. Saturday.
It was at an altitude of 207,000 feet over north-central Texas at a 9 a.m., traveling at 12,500 mph, when Mission Control lost all contact and tracking data.
Gary Hunziker in Plano said he saw the shuttle flying overhead. "I could see two bright objects flying off each side of it," he told The Associated Press. "I just assumed they were chase jets."
"The barn started shaking and we ran out and started looking around," said Benjamin Laster of Kemp, Texas. "I saw a puff of vapor and smoke and saw big chunk of material fall."
Television footage showed a bright light followed by smoke plumes streaking diagonally through the sky. Debris appeared to break off into separate balls of light as it continued downward.
Security had been extraordinarily tight for Columbia's 16-day scientific research mission because of the presence of Ilan Ramon, the first Israeli astronaut.
Ramon, 48, a colonel in Israel's air force and former fighter pilot, had survived two wars. He became the first man from his country to fly in space, and his presence resulted in an increase in security, not only for Columbia's launch, but also for its planned landing. Space agency officials feared his presence might make the shuttle more of a terrorist target.
A senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Saturday there was no threat made against the flight and that the shuttle was out of range of a surface-to-air missile.
"The government of Israel and the people of Israel are praying together with the entire world for the safety of the astronauts on the shuttle Columbia," Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's office said in a statement.
Columbia's crew had completed 80-plus scientific research experiments during their time in orbit.
Only two of the seven astronauts had flown in space before, the shuttle's commander, Rick Husband, and Kalpana Chawla. The other five were rookies: pilot William McCool and Michael Anderson, David Brown, Laurel Clark and Ramon.
Just in the past week, NASA observed the anniversary of its only two other space tragedies, the Challenger explosion, which killed all seven astronauts on board, and the Apollo spacecraft fire that killed three on Jan. 27, 1967.
On the Net:
photo credit and caption:
In this image from television taken Feb. 1, 2003, NASA mission control in Houston, Texas, waits to hear from the space shuttle Columbia. NASA lost contact with the shuttle somewhere over north central Texas. It was scheduled to land in Florida at 8:16am Central time. Space shuttle Columbia apparently disintegrated in flames over Texas on Saturday minutes before it was to land in Florida. TV video showed what appeared to be falling debris, as NASA declared an emergency and warned residents to beware offalling objects. (AP PHOTO/NASA TV) |
~Megan~
Life without danger is a waste of oxygen. |
 |
|
|
gezzam
SFN Regular
Australia
751 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2003 : 10:47:42 [Permalink]
|
http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/space/02/01/shuttle.columbia/index.html
What a terrible tragedy, I hope that this does not affect the space program!!!!!
|
Mistakes are a part of being human. Appreciate your mistakes for what they are: precious life lessons that can only be learned the hard way. Unless it's a fatal mistake, which, at least, others can learn from.
Al Franken |
|
|
|
Kil
Evil Skeptic
USA
13477 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2003 : 11:43:30 [Permalink]
|
I too woke up to this news. I am still in shock.
quote:
gezzam:
What a terrible tragedy, I hope that this does not affect the space program!!!!!
It will effect the space program. My guess is it will take years to recover from this tragedy.
Every set back has effected funding. There will be investigations, as there should be, on what went wrong. Pending the outcome of those investigations, my guess is the shuttle program will be placed on hold. Also, the current administration hasn't exactly shown themselves to be fans of science and science exploration. All of those who believe that the whole manned space program is just too costly will use this as evidence for their position, as they did after the Challenger disaster.
All in all, this is bad in every respect.... |
Uncertainty may make you uncomfortable. Certainty makes you ridiculous.
Why not question something for a change?
Genetic Literacy Project |
|
|
|
walt fristoe
SFN Regular
USA
505 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2003 : 14:00:02 [Permalink]
|
quote:
Originally posted by gezzam
What a terrible tragedy, I hope that this does not affect the space program!!!!!
It can't do anything but hurt the space program, as we now only have two shuttles left. This is indeed a sad day, not only for us space enthusiasts. I feel terrible for the families of the heroes that we have all lost, as well. |
"If God chose George Bus of all the people in the world, how good could God be?"
Bill Maher |
|
|
|
NubiWan
Skeptic Friend
USA
424 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2003 : 14:09:48 [Permalink]
|
| Woke up a while ago, dismissed the shuttle headlines at first, being still fuzzy, thought they were Challanger rememberences. Damn... |
 |
|
|
|
PhDreamer
SFN Regular
USA
925 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2003 : 17:15:51 [Permalink]
|
Minor point, Walt: the three shuttles remaining are Discovery, Atlantis & Endeavor.
The talking heads did say one thing that continues to dominate my thinking. We have become so used to space triumphs, like the relatively recent assembly of the ISS, that we tend to consider routine shuttle flights as just another part of the daily grind. Thus, an incident like this becomes that much more shocking and unbelievable. We tend to forget that the danger inherent in space exploration is immense. The men and women who venture into space are truly pioneers, even now, a half-century into the space age. The risks they take, so that we may reap the benefits of technology, are mind-boggling.
I understand, after the 1986 Challenger disaster, NASA funding was increased for some time thereafter. I think this is absolutely necessary and should not be limited to post-disaster periods. If we are going to continue to put our astronauts in harm's way, without a safety net, we have to do everything we can to ensure they have the best equipment and training from the get-go. |
I believe that, as a species, human beings define their reality through suffering and misery.
-Agent Smith |
|
|
|
walt fristoe
SFN Regular
USA
505 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2003 : 17:18:54 [Permalink]
|
| Thanks PhD! I stand corrected. I'll have to learn to check my facts better before I post. |
"If God chose George Bus of all the people in the world, how good could God be?"
Bill Maher |
| Edited by - walt fristoe on 02/02/2003 16:00:47 |
|
|
|
Legallee Insane
Skeptic Friend
Canada
126 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2003 : 17:22:11 [Permalink]
|
quote:
walt fristoe:
It can't do anything but hurt the space program, as we now only have two shuttles left.
I apologize but I must correct you on this. There are actually three shuttles still in service: Endeavor, Atlantis, and Discovery. |
--"Only the fool says in his heart: There is no god -- The wise says it to the world"
--"I darn you to HECK!" - Catbert
--"Don't worry, we're not laughing at you, we're laughing near you." |
|
|
|
Chippewa
SFN Regular
USA
1496 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2003 : 21:49:46 [Permalink]
|
quote:
Originally posted by PhDreamer
"...I think this is absolutely necessary and should not be limited to post-disaster periods. If we are going to continue to put our astronauts in harm's way, without a safety net, we have to do everything we can to ensure they have the best equipment and training from the get-go."
Yes. Consider also, how many brave (mostly Chinese) people died building the US railroads in the 19th century? Trains revolutionized technology and travel in those times, and paved the way for unforeseen developments. How many pilots in all the world's nations died testing new aircraft in 20th century aviation history? Rhetorical questions I know, and the loss of the Columbia today was a tragedy.
Life is dangerous, and space travel is still 100% experimental. We're still in the "early days" of space flight. There will be those calling for unmanned exploration - but actually, we have that and it is increasing even before today's disaster. Human exploration will continue too. Humans will stand again on the moon. Explorers will also stand on Mars some day. It will be because people are willing to weigh the risks to gain new knowledge, and learn from our losses as well as our triumphs.
===================================================================== |
Diversity, independence, innovation and imagination are progressive concepts ultimately alien to the conservative mind.
"TAX AND SPEND" IS GOOD! (TAX: Wealthy corporations who won't go poor even after taxes. SPEND: On public works programs, education, the environment, improvements.) |
|
|
|
@tomic
Administrator
USA
4607 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2003 : 22:07:03 [Permalink]
|
I think we are too far invested in manned space flight to give it up now. I think everyone knows by now it's the future and one we can't avoid. There may be a temporary time-out for investigation etc. But there is no way we turn back. Hell the Chinese will be sending up their own astronauts soon. We could stop now and start buying rides on Chinese missions or keep going.
@tomic |
Gravity, not just a good idea...it's the law!
Sportsbettingacumen.com: The science of sports betting |
|
|
|
Kil
Evil Skeptic
USA
13477 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2003 : 11:47:42 [Permalink]
|
One thing. Bush did say this in his remarks: quote:
Mankind is lead into the darkness beyond our world by the inspiration of discovery and the longing to understand. Our journey into space will go on.
I hope this isn't just rhetoric...
This from AP:
quote:
(Feb. 3) -- NASA put shuttle launches on hold following the Columbia disaster, clouding the future of missions including assembly of the International Space Station, which has three astronauts aboard.
Even with its shuttles grounded, NASA can easily retrieve the astronauts using Russian vehicles. But if the space agency's remaining shuttles are out of service for an extended period in the wake of Saturday's catastrophe, as seems likely, it could prove difficult to maintain the station's operations.
''This is clearly a big setback for the station because during the rest of this year shuttles were supposed to carry up lots of big pieces of hardware for assembly,'' said John Logsdon, director of the Space Policy Institute at George Washington University.
NASA is extremely unlikely to build a new space shuttle to replace Columbia, according to experts, leaving the space agency with the three remaining orbiters as its entire fleet for the foreseeable future.
The next generation of reusable space vehicles is at least 10 to 15 years off, said Donald H. Emero, who served as the shuttle's chief engineer from 1989 to 1993.
''I think the country will not invest in any more shuttles,'' Emero said Saturday.
Until a few years ago, NASA was exploring several designs for vehicles to replace the space shuttle. But NASA's new administrator, Sean O'Keefe, has shelved those designs and committed to operating the space shuttle for the next 10 to 15 years.
NASA's three remaining shuttles are from 10 to 18 years old.
NASA's shuttle fleet was grounded for nearly three years following the 1986 Challenger disaster, as investigators struggled first to determine what had caused it to explode with seven astronauts on board and then to fix the problem. In the hours after that accident, few could have guessed that the cause would be a rubber ''O-ring'' - stiffened and cracked by low temperatures.
Emero said the investigation of Saturday's accident could take as long as that inquiry, but doubted it would because Challenger was destroyed by such a minor defect that was difficult to find.
The next shuttle mission on NASA's flight schedule is a March 1 trip to the space station by the Atlantis orbiter.
Russian space agency officials said they were ready to pick up some of the slack for the space station if NASA grounds its shuttle fleet. But with Russia's ability to launch supply vehicles already compromised by budget problems, the loss of U.S. space shuttle Columbia could seriously jeopardize the continued operation of the outpost.
With no permanent crew aboard, the space station can operate in a ''dormant'' mode as long as occasional maintenance is performed by visiting astronauts. In fact, NASA had already been considering a ''demanning'' contingency for 2003 before Saturday's events.
But the longer the station goes unoccupied, the greater the chances that it would deteriorate to an uninhabitable state. A dormant period would also cause a significant interruption in the station's continuing assembly and scientific research program.
Expedition Six, as the current crew is called, arrived at the station in November and consists of NASA astronauts Ken Bowersox and Don Pettit and Russian Soyuz commander Nikolai Budarin. The three men could remain where they are until June without a visit from the space shuttle, said space shuttle program manager Ron Dittemore.
An unmanned supply vessel was to be launched Sunday from Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome. It was scheduled to arrive at the orbiting station Tuesday.
AP-NY-02-02-03 0632EST
|
Uncertainty may make you uncomfortable. Certainty makes you ridiculous.
Why not question something for a change?
Genetic Literacy Project |
|
|
|
walt fristoe
SFN Regular
USA
505 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2003 : 15:55:25 [Permalink]
|
quote:
Originally posted by Legallee Insane
quote:
walt fristoe:
It can't do anything but hurt the space program, as we now only have two shuttles left.
I apologize but I must correct you on this. There are actually three shuttles still in service: Endeavor, Atlantis, and Discovery.
Thanks for the correction Legalee, but there is certainly no need for
an apology for pointing out my error, as I relish constructive
criticism and correction when I am wrong concerning a matter of fact.
I learn more that way, so I ask that anyone catching me in a faux pas
to bring it to my attention. |
"If God chose George Bus of all the people in the world, how good could God be?"
Bill Maher |
| Edited by - walt fristoe on 02/02/2003 15:59:35 |
|
|
|
NubiWan
Skeptic Friend
USA
424 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2003 : 15:57:02 [Permalink]
|
The Bush admin "blueprint" budget for 2003 includes a $307 billion deficit, before a new round of tax cuts and his war with Iraq. The record budget deficit was in 1992 and was $290 billion. As it seems we have returned to spending our childern's and grandchildern's money, you tell me what is mere rhetoric and what is deceit.
http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/reuters20030202_183.html |
|
|
|
|
@tomic
Administrator
USA
4607 Posts |
|
|
Lisa
SFN Regular
USA
1223 Posts |
Posted - 02/18/2003 : 22:05:24 [Permalink]
|
Sorry to chime in late here, but I've just returned home.
The day before the accident, a bunch of us who were attending Randi's conference took a trip to the space center. While I was looking at the wall of rememberance, Eddie asked me why I was crying. I told him I hoped to never see another name on that wall.
Imagine everyone's shock when the word came the next day during the conference. The whole conference adjourned for an hour. There were quite a few tear stained faces in the crowd, mine included.
The absolute sickest thing any of us had ever seen was the almost immediate conspiracy theories that popped up on-line. What in the hell is wrong with people? |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Topic Locked
