Bat Hung onto Shuttle During Liftoff (Moonbat?)

NASA ^ | 03.17.09 | Steven Siceloff

[buccaneer81]

Bat Hung onto Shuttle During Liftoff 03.17.09

A bat that was clinging to space shuttle Discovery’s external fuel tank during the countdown to launch the STS-119 mission remained with the spacecraft as it cleared the tower, analysts at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center concluded.

Based on images and video, a wildlife expert who provides support to the center said the small creature was a free tail bat that likely had a broken left wing and some problem with its right shoulder or wrist. The animal likely perished quickly during Discovery’s climb into orbit.

Because the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge coexists inside Kennedy Space Center, the launch pads have a number of measures available, including warning sirens, to deter birds and other creatures from getting too close. The launch team also uses radar to watch for birds before a shuttle liftoff.

Nevertheless, the bat stayed in place and it was seen changing positions from time to time.

Launch controllers spotted the bat after it had clawed onto the foam of the external tank as Discovery stood at Launch Pad 39A. The temperature never dropped below 60 degrees at that part of the tank, and infrared cameras showed that the bat was 70 degrees through launch.

The final inspection team that surveys the outside of the shuttle and tank for signs of ice buildup observed the small bat, hoping it would wake up and fly away before the shuttle engines ignited.

It was not the first bat to land on a shuttle during a countdown. Previously, one of the winged creatures landed on the tank during the countdown to launch shuttle Columbia on its STS-90 mission in 1998. That animal flew away as the engines ignited.

Steven Siceloff NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center

[buccaneer81]

Only a Moonbat would be that crazy.

[cripplecreek]

We wondered if it was Cindy Al Sheehan but that would be pigs in space.

[driftdiver]

This would be the perfect thread for a helen thomas picture.

[Viking2002]

LOL I'll bet that bat was wondering WTF was going on during those last few moments after liftoff......LMAO

[ItsForTheChildren]

There is no perfect thread for a helen thomas picture.

[buccaneer81]

[driftdiver]

oh cmon, put her face on a bat body using photoshop. it would be priceless.

vomit inducing but priceless

[Viking2002]

'infrared cameras showed that the bat was 70 degrees through launch.....'

....and 5,000 degrees at T+20......ROTLFMAO

[buccaneer81]

Its face was probably something like this other Monnbat:

[BallyBill]

Got a great view of the Shuttle/ISS as they went overhead this evening. Strange, but large flocks of what I thought were geese, kept interrupting my view in the dark. Maybe I should have looked closer.

[buccaneer81]

It’s passing over me at 9:16 Eastern. I’ll look for Moonbats.

[1_Rain_Drop]

:( poor bat

A bat is a bird?
Did those people think the bat was going to wake up during the daytime? hello-o

[jriemer]

[buccaneer81]

The launch team also uses radar to watch for birds before a shuttle liftoff.

No bat tracking ability??? ;-)

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

That’s a Major Kong yee-ha of a ride!

[Bean Counter]

[buccaneer81]

That’s a Major Kong yee-ha of a ride!

And just as hot at the end.

[YouPosting2Me]

For those young enough and in the Orlando/Disney area... “Must have been an E-Ticket ride!”

[buccaneer81]

[doc1019]

Viking, you are defiantly on a roll tonight! ;-)