Columbia Discussion thread

Feb 1, 2003

[Admin Moderator]

'

On behalf of posters on Free Republic, I post this with deepest sympathy for the crew and their families.

Mission - sts107

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This is a continuation of the original thread.

Shuttle Contact LOST-No Tracking Data During RE-Entry!

ANY DU LINKS OR POSTS WILL BE REMOVED IMMEDIATELY. Keep them on the original thread.

[null and void]

Isn't it nice we have FR to gather together?

It's my lifeline.

[bootless]

OK, thanks. My blood pressure's been up, and I'm trying not to type anything stupid.

[hole_n_one]

[Peach]

Thanks, Dog. Without knowing who is mad at who or why, it bears repeating. If we can't all get along at FR, what chance is there for anyone getting along? We're a great group with differing opinions but a single goal. And today is a day of mourning and it's making me even more sad to see us sniping at each other. Freep hugs to everyone.

[Chad Fairbanks]

THis is the last I will say on the subject, so that we can get back on topic - one, the 'bonehead' remark was uncalled-for, and secondly, blaming it on a 'multicultural sideshow' was also uncalled for... Ok, I'm done.

[ladysusan]

Park and Shiloh, East Plano, Unit # 303

[FreeperinRATcage]

The "Indian gal" is a US citizen. You got a problem with that?

[rintense]

Ok, so if the landing gear is still retracted, then what could cause a change in tire pressure? I highly doubt a tire explosion could rip a hole in the shuttle. It seems more likely that it was a loss of pressure in the lower area of the shuttle that went undetected that cause the tire pressure to change.

But, could a tire explosion have cause severe damage to the craft?

[PhiKapMom]

Saw the same yaw! Don't computer systems control the shuttle on re-entry? It could be overridden but the pilots may not have realized what was happening until it was too late!

[bootless]

I am so sorry ... prayers up...

[HumanaeVitae]

Anyone know about a Bush Administration press conference on this? Anyone heard anything?

[Mamzelle]

After the Challenger disaster, there was a long hiatus. That doesn't mean the same thing will happen. I doubt that this disaster will be the trauma that the Challenger was. But--we'll have to see. My hope is that there will be a renewed focus on non-renewable mission craft. Just in the last ten years, we've had a flowering of robotics that could finally open our solar system to new exploration. But, trying to maked them manned will make them impossible.

[exhaustedmomma]

Local Houston news reporting that local astronauts and others going to Johnson Space Center. Media gathering out there.

[ARA]

Where is that picture from?

[CyberAnt]

I heard on FOX that there was this "unusual" (10 degree higher than usual) heat factor in this shuttle.

[Ichneumon]

At what point do they lower the tires? I'd assume it was too soon.

From the landing videos I've seen, they lower the landing gear at pretty much the last possible second -- you can see them pop out when the shuttle is just a few hundred feet above the runway.

So yes, the landing gear is still retracted during re-entry and approach.

[glock rocks]

Kalpana Chawla did India proud

and the United States. she was a US citizen.

[AshleyMontagu]

I apologize for the bonehead remark. But I don't apologize for stating the obvious - NASA is more interested in presenting a good show than in making good science. (But I have yet to see an apology to me for accusing me of making things up about her). This is enough for this sideshow. Move on.

[George W. Bush]

Shuttle program managers at Johnson Space Center in Houston so far have decided not to inspect the plumbing in Columbia, which was rolled out to the pad Monday for a Jan. 16 launch. NASA does not expect to find such a crack in Columbia, which two years ago underwent the same kind of overhaul that Discovery is being subjected to this year.

There's no indication that this fuel line is connected with the maneuvering thrusters which are used to correct the shuttle's flight during re-entry. The fuel line you're speaking of is used during launch, not re-entry.

[backhoe]

Standing by.