NASA: No Flights Until Foam Issue Fixed

Associated Press ^ | 7/27/05 | MARCIA DUNN

[anymouse]

Thank you Al Gore and the environazies.

[anymouse]

Space ping.

[Carry_Okie]

Thank you Al Gore and the environazies.

What I want to know is if Bush didn't have the balls to tell the greenies to take a hike on this one. If the Montreal Protocol is the reason the Shuttle has been grounded, heads should roll.

[the_Watchman]

The foam during the Columbia disaster was replacement over "environmental" issues. The original foam had not exhibited a tendency to break off. Have they reverted to the original foam, or are they still risking people's lives over Global Warming?

[kyperman]

OK, what the heck has NASA been doing for the past two years? It is completely insane that the exact same problem that killed 7 on Columbia happened again. I thought they spent the past two years and millions this very issue. For it to happen again is beyond belief...what kind of shop are they running down there?

If I was the current crew, I would be furious that they allowed this to happen again. I realize that space travel is a very dangerous business and you can never be sure that nothing will go wrong...but at least fix known problems...just plain crazy.

[LibertarianInExile]

I just want to hear NASA confirm it followed the same procedures it always has to ensure that the tiles in this area were affixed properly. If that's true, either the glue maker or the tile maker is doing something different and wrong. If that's NOT true, NASA is doing something wrong.

Either way, someone needs to be bouncing on asphalt for this cockup.

[rs79bm]

Thankfully it didn't harm the orbiter. I'll reserve any furthur judgement until the mission is over. While I am confident the crew will return safely, it does no good to second guess anybody while we have a crew in space.

[Shawndell Green]

"OK, what the heck has NASA been doing for the past two years?"

Spending over $1 billion.

[Fitzcarraldo]

The external tank is not available for inspection...this will not happen again.

[anymouse]

The foam during the Columbia disaster was replacement over "environmental" issues. The original foam had not exhibited a tendency to break off. Have they reverted to the original foam, or are they still risking people's lives over Global Warming?

NASA is an agency of the federal government - what do you think they are doing? /sarcasm

All they did was not pack as much foam between the ET bi-pod strut mounts. They also put some kind of mesh embedded in the foam.

It is still a crappy solution, hamstrung by blind obedience to pseudoscience that claims CFCs like Freon are significantly affecting the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere.

Never mind that the "ozone hole" is nearly closed up again due to global cyclic changes having nothing to do with CFCs or human intervention at all.

[LM_Guy]

It is not the same problem, the area of the foam dislodging is not the same area as before and in fact this problem is due to (part of the) changes made to eliminate the original problem.

As in some problem solving, when you change the landscape to eliminate the gofer from digging a hole in your front yard, he may just instead dig one in the backyard.

[spycatcher]

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2003/7/11/121741.shtml

http://www.watchblog.com/republicans/archives/000764.html

[ARCADIA]

OK, what the heck has NASA been doing for the past two years?

In short, consuming our tax dollars and producing nothing. NASA is worthless without a real challenge. They need a mission that is difficult enough to clear out the current layer of inept management while attracting new and capable talent.

[ARCADIA]

It is not the same problem, the area of the foam dislodging is not the same area as before and in fact this problem is due to (part of the) changes made to eliminate the original problem.

It looks the same to me. The old NASA would have redesigned the entire central tank, these guys can only apply a new layer of gloss.

[Jaysun]

NASA is now kowtowing to the Enviro-commies? I wish we'd just scrap the whole thing.

[Names Ash Housewares]

Every mission brings experience. Every mission brings data there is no other way to get but by flying.

You dont think the next vehicle is not going to benefit from all those shuttle missions?

We learn by doing. There IS more then capable talent at NASA.

Bringing nothing? my god. Opening the door to the next frontier. Keeping America ahead and in the lead. Inspiring explorers to come.

It brings everything.

I know this because those brave souls that came before us are the only reason any of us are here. They explored with ships that they knew sometimes didnt come home. The flew on imperfect wings. And we owe the next generation what was given to us.

NASA has a new mission now. Return to the moon, then to mars. President Bush has put something in motion now that is unstoppable. Thank god.

[Mr. Jeeves]

They need a mission that is difficult enough to clear out the current layer of inept management while attracting new and capable talent.

Since the engineers who can actually build working spacecraft seem to have retired, how about a new NASA mission to sabotage the Chinese manned space program by selling them shuttle technology (ala the Clinton Administration and Loral)? ;)

[mo]

WTF has been going on down at NASA the last TWO YEARS anyhow? What do you mean "until foam issue fixed"!!!!The foam issue crashed the LAST shuttle-and TWO YEARS later we've just kicked another crew up there "to see what happpens"!!!...but we'll fix the "foam issue" later. Sheeesh..what kind of astronauts we got that will put up with this @#ap!!

[Sen Jack S. Fogbound]

Just what is the Montreal Protocol?

[carlr]

I`m sure some won`t like this but I have to ask,why are we wasting time and money on this thing?
If we as a country feel it is in our national interest to explore space,which I think is still open to debate,than lets do it.
Lets find a way to extract product (oil or other source of energy) from the Moon or Mars or gain a military advantage (we are the only country that does`nt seek to exploit or dominate from its military advances)so maybe it will be a deterrence to our enemies.
If the shuttle is`nt providing either and is imposing a human risk on top of a monetary burden than end it.