BREAKING: NBC News finds Jan 30 NASA Memo showing serious concern about tile damage!

NBC News | February 3, 2003 | Jay Barbree

[Rome2000]

if I'm understanding the information you just presented me correctly then they could have been saved by the manner which I took me less than a minute to formulate and knowing only te basics surrounding the ship's capabilities

It certainly appears that was possible, though I don't believe a bloodbath at NASA is the best way to go right now.

These people will have to live with this everyday of their lives.

[Magnum44]

Didn't mean to imply you were. I was just trying to follow the discussion and figure out how best to insert the comment. These threads are running so long that I gave up trying to figure who to address and just sent it to the most recent participants.

Regards,

[justshe]

Once it had been determined the shuttle was in danger, Atlantis could have been sent up within a week. Once up in space, the ship could have sided up parellel to the Columbia, a member of Atlantis could have space walked out to the Columbia with a bag containing 7 space suits and (assuming Columbia had an airlock) then led the crew members out one by one. From there Atlantis could have flown back to earth. As NASA did not pursue this or any other line of action they must bear the burden of responsibilty for the deaths. If what I just proposed is impossible I'll step back of course.

---

At the press conferences today, I understood there was not enough oxygen left on board the shuttle to last a week. So sending the Atlantis was NOT an option.

[Howlin]

Didn't mean to snap! It's been a long day of Whack-a-Mole, if you get my drift!

[Howlin]

And they would have been dead when the next shuttle got there.

[TankerKC]

You don't think the person doing the interview already KNEW this guy's stats and qualifications??? LOL

Right, 'cuz the folks in the media would never interview someone unqualified. LOL back at ya.

It's obvious you know nothing about this guys resume, so go play somewhere else.

[KantianBurke]

40 hours after Columbia had launched is when the NASA techs claim to have become aware of the damage. My plan is predicated on NASA erring on the side of caution and preparing Atlantis to go up less than two days after the Columbia had launched. Is it correct to assume Columbia would have had enough air by the point Atlantis would have reached her?

[KantianBurke]

if you can determine that the answer to post 767 is in the negative then you are correct. Otherwise Columbia's seven astronaunts would be with their families right now.

[Howlin]

Every "expert" that has been on TV today has said they would have run out of air.

I suppose they could all be in on the cover-up though.

[Rome2000]

Unless of course the Russians diverted this rocket with an emergency oxygen supply to orbit with the SS and the crew was able to retrieve oxygen cannisters

Soyuz Progress M-47 Launches to the Space Station
Marc Boucher
Sunday, February 02, 2003

As the world mourns the loss of the Columbia, the continuing mission of the International Space Station goes on as a Russian Soyuz cargo spaceship launched today with a regularly scheduled re-supply mission.

The purpose of this launch is to deliver cargo to the International Space Station (ISS). The shipment includes: fuel components, expendable equipment for scientific experiments, containers with food and parcels for the crew, sets of onboard documentation and scientific instruments for experiments at the ISS.

The M-47 Progress cargo spacecraft totals 7,290 kilogram in weight with a payload measured at 2,568 kilograms and was boosted by a mid-class Soyuz-U rocket.

The three member crew of the space station has enough supplies to last them through June. Since the shuttle fleet is now grounded the only way home for the crew at this time is by the Soyuz escape vehicle attached to the space station. If the shuttle is grounded for a longer period a new crew can be exchanged with the present one via a Soyuz launch. However a shuttle is required to help keep the space station in orbit. Every time the shuttle visits the space station it boosts the station into a higher orbit. If the shuttle can not boost the space station then it would eventually fall back to earth and burn up in the atmosphere.

[justshe]

40 hours after Columbia had launched is when the NASA techs claim to have become aware of the damage

---

This is incorrect. At this afternoon's press conference, we learned that after launch, tests were done using MULTIPLE parameter's, including weight/distance/impact angles, and the damage was thought to be inconsequential using the most extreme parameters. It also was stated at the news conference today, that the 'tile' identified at launch, as hitting the left wing is not even confirmed. Not even the 'color' of the object which flew off.

[Magnum44]

Not sure but the airlock may have been 'occupied' with the space lab tunnel. Maybe I missed it skimming the post, but if the lab is on board and mated to the tunnel, an exterior lock may not be available. Seems like a design oversight, I know.

Of course, I am looking at at from the crews perspective. One has to remember that the 'vehicle' side of NASA does not think of the shuttle as something the crew owns or is responsible for, they prefer to think of the crew as passengers or even renters. In fact, the crew really is not authorized to do anything with the vehicle on its own. All operations must follow the carefully constructed scripts with ground controllers giving their nods almost every step of the way.

From the ground controllers perspective, unless its a mission requirement, there's no need for the 'passengers' to be strolling outside.

[KantianBurke]

I'll refrain from asking whether you can point to any of those sources of yours (in all likelihood none will be provided so I'll save breath) and simply ask how long the Columbia shuttle was up in space for. If it was equipped for longer than say 14 days their deaths could have been prevented by the simple plan that was presented earlier.

[TLBSHOW]

Space Shuttle's Nose Cone Found Near La.

http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SHUTTLE_DEBRIS?SITE=DCTMS&SECTION=HOME

[Howlin]

Bill Nelson, for one. Other astronauts. And the press conference this very day, morning and afternoon.

[Magnum44]

No worries. Some of you have more energy 'Mole-Whacking' than I. :^)

[TLBSHOW]

LOL

you have a hard time making friends don't you?

Fact is they did not have to die!

[KantianBurke]

I've read three different versions on FR threads as to what went on during the press conference. Not doubting YOU but I'm a bit skeptical as to what was said / interpreted as I was at work and didn't see for myself. Also once again I'm not a rocket scientist nor do I play one on TV so I'm making educated guesses. Still its hard to beleive that something logical and rational could not have been put in place for the Columbia 7.

[Kevin Curry]

We all have to die.

[cmsgop]

Are You really going there ??????