Columbia Discussion thread

Feb 1, 2003

[rintense]

And what's with the bonehead Indian gal onboard? This flight was a multi-culti sideshow. If we're serious about space exploration let's act serious and use real pros for all flights. (Wonder how many foregn programmers NASA has on payroll).

Ok, my bad. Yes, calling her a bonehead is just not right. She did, however, make mistakes on a previous shuttle flight. Does that make her a bonehead? Prolly not.

[NonValueAdded]

I did hear it. I was switching between CNN and FNC so it could have been the evil network. Did anyone else hear about the Indian woman's goof up on her last flight? If I'm wrong about this I apologize. But the rest of my opinion still stands.

Even if you heard it and feel that way, now is not the time to share.
Remember all the speculation about Grissom's Mercury hatch problem, turned out he was right. So until you know, please go (silent).

[Howlin]

Did you call her a bonehead?

[McLynnan]

Should have read ahead. Thanks. I didn't want you to think I made that comment.

[Dog]

Time out...

Let's forget the other stuff and get back on topic ......please.

Thank you.

[CyberAnt]

bad weather - helicopter cannot fly with low ceiling clouds

[Chad Fairbanks]

And the people reporting it at Fox are just as bad - there is no need for this right now - it can wait... Call me crazy, call me old-fashioned, but why can't we just mourn for a time before we start assassinating the character of the lost?

[Peach]

Thanks for the tip re NBC; not my first choice typically but if they have a good expert or two on, I'll check them out. Freep regards

[arasina]

Gung he xin xi! I'm not Chinese by a long shot but I bought a Berlitz Chinese language book at the thrift shop a couple days ago and think this is an appropriate comment for Chinese New Year's?

This is so very sad. I pray for the families of the Columbia crewmembers.

[bonesmccoy]

You are correct regarding the gear.
It only extends in the last few seconds of the mission.

One of the shuttle CDR's was stating on CBS that at 250,000 feet you have a white glow of plasma around the vehicle.

[glock rocks]

I watched the mission control coverage up until 9:15AM, not knowing that anything was wrong. Those people at mission control are as cool as cucumbers. Nobody in that place was visibly excited at all. When the time for the scheduled landing came and went, I tuned to FoxNews out of curiosity and realized instantly that things had gone horribly wrong.

it was too cloudy to see it at 8 minutes till, here in utah... after i came back inside, i had the same experience you did.

[Mamzelle]

Tiles--I believe these tiles will prove to be the catalyst for this disaster. Fascinating technology, but if one too many falls off, that's it.

[ErnBatavia]

Why is the President returning from Camp David to the WH via car rather than Marine 1?

Fog unsafe flying conditions is the report.

[rintense]

Nope. Point taken. I mentioned it two posts above. The bonehead remark is uncalled for.

[jodorowsky]

YOU ARE SCUM STOP

TRANSMISSION ENDS STOP

[ladysusan]

Fox 4 Dallas showing a 2 ft x 2 ft piece of burnt metal along highway 79 north of palestine texas.

[Ipberg]

No cable in my house so I'm watching a local channel that's carrying the CNN feed.

God bless the astronauts.

[Dog]

Easy..

[steveegg]

That was simply a repost from Spaceflight Now's page on the status of ST-107, specifically the time from when Columbia started making a series of turns to help slow down from its orbital speed of 17,000+ mph to its 200 mph touchdown speed.