Challengers (In honor of those lost in the final frontier)

Sacred Cow Burgers ^ | 01/28/2004 | Sacred Cow Burgers

[Prime Choice]

Today is the 18th anniversary of the loss of Challenger and her crew.

Yesterday was the 37th anniversary of the loss of Apollo 1's crew.

In four days is the 1st anniversary of the loss of Columbia and her crew.

We should remember these honored dead even as we celebrate our recent successes on Mars with Spirit and Opportunity.

[Prime Choice]

[Frank_Discussion]

Quite so. Thank you.

[Bikers4Bush]

We should also ask ourselves why the hell we would have any space missions either launch or land within this 7 day span.

It would seem to be cursed.

May they all RIP.

[Frank_Discussion]

"It would seem to be cursed."

But then again, the sound barrier was where a demon of the air met an aircraft to drive it from the sky, too. We'll get past the winter jinx, as well.

[Bikers4Bush]

I don't know that it's so much a jinx (or curse as I said) as it is an identifier of how we aren't doing enough to take winter conditions into account when launching these missions.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

...it is an identifier of how we aren't doing enough to take winter conditions into account when launching these missions.

I'd agree with you except for the fact that the air temperature had nothing to do with the deaths of Grissom, Chaffee and White on Apollo 1.

Personally, I'm going with the 'jinx'.

[Frank_Discussion]

Thanks. (not)

[NonValueAdded]

B4B, I had a similar reaction about these three tragedies falling within 7 days on the calendar. But I think it is more a function of occurring during what passes for winter here in Florida that a curse. But either way, the week should be avoided in the future for memorial reasons, if not technical or karmic reasons.

[ElkGroveDan]

Really moving, thanks.

[Frank_Discussion]

No. NO standown. That would be disrespectful in this case.

"We shut down operations because of your tragedies each time, and now we halt for a period of time every year out of respect."

The brave men and women would want us to move on, not wallow in the past failures.

[mrbillxx]

Amen. These men and women knew the risks...almost embraced the risks. These men and women are true heros.
Godspeed... and return to the moon to stay!

[perfect stranger]

FWIW on the new album "Bananas" by "Deep Purple" there's a very touching instrumental song dedicated to those lost in last year's shuttle disaster called "Lost Contact" written by their guitar player. It's the final track on the CD

[Bobby Chang]

We remember those who have fallen during this week . . .

[Blue Scourge]

I remember the Challenger accident...we were watching the shuttle launch (live), I was on my dads shoulders (I was about 5) watching it go up and up and being quite amazed. Than my dad almost dropped me when it exploded.

Something I'll probably never forget, last year I was playing in a basketball tourney when my mom called me and told me about the Columbia.

May they all rest in peace.