Something's Up With The Space Shuttle (Missing)

[Heisenberg]

Very sad. I hope some good can come out this with a renewed committment to the space progam and newer technologies.

 

[everman]

It's a terrible tragedy. I think it was 2 years after challenger when they finally launched again but I don't think they can afford to wait very long with the ISS being constructed can they? I believe if it is because of the tiles breaking off then things should not be very difficult to fix/improve or figure out what happened.
I also couldn't believe that the first Israli astronaut was on board, and was the other the first Indian Astronaut?

 

[everman]

Edit double post somehow.

 

[conjur]

Screen shot of radar showing debris path

All of the radar shots I saw looking thru the thread no longer show the affect. This is a link to a news article with a screen shot.

Very sad.

 

[Babbles]

Originally posted by: everman

. . . and was the other the first Indian Astronaut?

No, well she may have been the first but I don't think so. Thing is she has been on a shuttle trip beforehand, 1999 I think.

 

[StattlichPassat]

Originally posted by: conjur
Screen shot of radar showing debris path

All of the radar shots I saw looking thru the thread no longer show the affect. This is a link to a news article with a screen shot.

Very sad.

I captured, saved and uploaded what good base reflectivity images I could find earlier this morning to my website- click ChrisAtkinson.net below to see.

Also, I too hope this renews faith and spending in our space program. NASA is an American legacy and is a part of who we are. Especially here in Texas, we're close to space exploration. A lot of space geeks and both amateur and professional astronomers all over the place. The Texas Astronomical Society, based in Dallas, is the largest astronomical society in the world- my grandfather is an avid member. We have one of the best and largest observatories in the world here as well in Ft. Davis- McDonald Observatory. I even live directly across the street from a new planetarium. To kill off or further scale back space exploration spending would be devestating to the science world, and to mankind as well. Luckly, this isn't going to happen as long as the Bush Administration is in office- they know the importance, as they should.

 

[athithi]

Originally posted by: Babbles

Originally posted by: everman

. . . and was the other the first Indian Astronaut?

No, well she may have been the first but I don't think so. Thing is she has been on a shuttle trip beforehand, 1999 I think.

Technically, she was the first Indian astronaut, I guess. The first ever Indian in space was a Cosmonaut! Rakesh Sharma travelled with the Russian Space Agency way back in the early 80s. Rakesh Sharma was India's Ilan Ramon, I suppose. I remember how excited we were as kids at the thought of the first Indian in space. When the then Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, jocularly asked him how India looked from space, he responded "Sare Jahaan Se Achcha, Hindustan Hamara" (In all the world, Hindustan/India is the finest). These are actually the words of a very popular patriotic song sung by millions of school-children all over India. And I remember how absolutely thrilling it was to hear it from Rakesh Sharma all those years back. I truly understand the pain of Israelis. If something had happened to Rakesh Sharma, we would've been as devastated, I'm sure.

 

[dmcowen674]

Prayers to the families of the crew of Columbia.

 

[everman]

Just heard on the news that they found a charred helmet and also possible charred human remains at another site, apparently they did not vaporize very quickly as first thought

 

[StattlichPassat]

Yep, I made that announcement earlier this afternoon. The charred helmet was found in a cemetary, the human remains in Hemphill. Developing...

 

[everman]

Originally posted by: StattlichPassat
Yep, I made that announcement earlier this afternoon. The charred helmet was found in a cemetary, the human remains in Hemphill. Developing...

A cemetary? Does this thing get any stranger than it already is? geez

 

[BatmanNate]

This is truly a devastatingly tragic event. Astronauts, in my opinion, are truer heroes than many whom we give credit. They put life and limb on the line for the scientific cause and in this case the betterment of life for all people. Hopefully some good will indeed come from this in the form of more funding and attention to the space program, so the sacrifices of everyone involved were not in vain.

 

[Wag]

Ah, Fox News has named it: "Tragedy in the Sky". I'm glad they did, because without a name I wouldn't know what to call it. I wonder if Rupert phoned that one in? No class.

Getting back to reality- I wonder how they'll find enough pieces to make heads or tales of this thing? The US Attourney has already announced that he'd prosecute anyone who takes pieces or tries to sell it.

 

[StattlichPassat]

Originally posted by: Wag
Ah, Fox News has named it: "Tragedy in the Sky". I'm glad they did, because without a name I wouldn't know what to call it. I wonder if Rupert phoned that one in? No class.

You have a grudge with Fox News? I see nothing wrong with that.

 

[Pliablemoose]

FVCK, they've found debris in the town I live in

Just got home from work, it's dark I'll have to look in the yard tomorrow am

 

[Wag]

I just think it's disrespectful to sensationalize something that doesn't need sensationalizing.

 

[dakata24]

i've been glued to the tv the whole day..

very sad day for the family and friends of the astronauts..

RIP Space Shuttle Columbia Crew

 

[Ime]

May as well slam CNN too... they are doing something similair. So is MSNBC.

It's just the way the Media deals with this sort of thing.

If the world was about to end tommorrow, all the news media outlets would sensationalize it.

It's part of the price we pay for having a free press. I wouldn't get all worked up about the media.

 

[sharkeeper]

Yes a very sad day and a serious setback to the program.

May the seven brave mission specialists rest in peace.

Cheers!

 

[DoNotDisturb]

sad situation.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Just out of curiosity, is there any way to tell which shuttle is which from a photograph? The reason I have a picture of a space shuttle while it's on the launch pad, but I can't tell which one it is

 

[A5]

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein
Just out of curiosity, is there any way to tell which shuttle is which from a photograph? The reason I have a picture of a space shuttle while it's on the launch pad, but I can't tell which one it is

Get a really good magnifying glass and try to read the writing on it...should be on the right wing. (At least Atlantis does )

 

[GroundedSailor]

Originally posted by: Bluga

Originally posted by: katka
:Q Directly over Bush's home state too!

Doesn't that say something?

I am not a fan of Bush, but that was a cheap shot & completely uncalled for. I think he spoke well, brief and to the point. And you could sense that he was truly saddened by the tragic event - like nearly all of us.

Its been a sad day for mankind to lose courageous pioneers in such a tragic fashion. My heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the astronauts and all those touched by this disaster.

And anyone trying to capatilize on debris, on ebay or otherwise, should realize that it is a federal offence. The Attorney General has already stated that they will prosecute anyone doing so. More power to him.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: A5

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein
Just out of curiosity, is there any way to tell which shuttle is which from a photograph? The reason I have a picture of a space shuttle while it's on the launch pad, but I can't tell which one it is

Get a really good magnifying glass and try to read the writing on it...should be on the right wing. (At least Atlantis does )

I don't need a magnifying glass as the picture is larger than 11x17. The only thing written on the right wing is "USA," & on the left wing there is an American Flag. Also the "fuel tank" that supplies the solid rocket boosters is white

 

[2ndgunman]

I don't think I've ever seen a white fuel tank before. Also, as far as I know, the orbiters name is printed on the surface of the right wing and on the side of the nose. At least it has been every time I've ever seen a shuttle in person or in photos.

Anyway, little things like that aren't important. We, as a country, should be focused on remembering the brave men and women who have given their lives in the pursuit of space exploration (be it Columbia, Challenger, Apollo, or any of the various accidents the Russians have had).