Shuttle's Return May Wait Longer

USA Today ^ | 10/2/03 | Traci Watson

[anymouse]

The space shuttle Atlantis, which was supposed to fly the first shuttle mission after the Columbia accident, may be grounded until late October 2004 because its nose wasn't thoroughly inspected during a recent overhaul, shuttle engineers said Wednesday.

A prolonged grounding of Atlantis could make it difficult for NASA to return to flight next year because only a few launch dates are available from mid-October of 2004 until the end of the year.

The misunderstanding of the Atlantis inspection raises new questions about how much the agency knows about its inspections and the accuracy of its record-keeping.

Shuttle managers thought that Atlantis' nose had been inspected for corrosion during an overhaul in 1997-98. They learned otherwise in the past few weeks. A shuttle engineer, who spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear for his job, said the inspection wasn't performed because NASA didn't know at the time that metal under the shuttle's nosecap could corrode. Corrosion was found later on two other shuttles and fixed.

But an unknown shuttle worker incorrectly recorded that the inspection had been done. A paperwork review uncovered the discrepancy. The investigation into the mistake continues.

The corrosion inspection alone probably wouldn't push the launch to 2005. But engineers said NASA is likely to run new tests on the nosecap, which could cause more delay.

The shuttle fleet has been grounded since the Columbia accident Feb. 1, but NASA had hoped to be in the air as early as next March. More flight delays would further delay construction of the International Space Station.

NASA is studying whether one of the other two shuttles, Endeavour or Discovery, could be ready more quickly than Atlantis for the first mission, which would be to the space station.

Columbia disintegrated during re-entry, killing the crew of seven. A report released by accident investigators in August condemned NASA as sloppy about safety.

[anymouse]

More bad news for NASA.

[anymouse]

Space ping.

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[RoughDobermann]

I sincerely hope the Orbiters NEVER fly again...

[RightWhale]

NASA could probably have a new space capsule flying before the space shuttle. Boeing or Cessna could set up the assembly line and start welding aluminum immediately and there would be spacecraft by the dozen in no time.

[RoughDobermann]

Yeah, but they don't look cool, RW.

[theDentist]

What sort of stoop doesn't think of inspecting the nose of the shuttle after such a disaster? Sounds like NASA's management needs an overhaul as well!

[Elliott Jackalope]

NASA doesn't need an overhaul, they need to be disbanded, and their assets sold off to private enterprise. The FAA needs to open a civilian space division to permit and regulate civilian launches into space, and then they need to stand back and let free enterprise do the rest.

Just my humble opinion, I'm more than willing to debate this issue.

[RightWhale]

they don't look cool

Okay, valid point, Boeing is out. That leaves Cessna and a couple of their TIG welders.

[RoughDobermann]

LOL!

[RightWhale]

open a civilian space division to permit and regulate civilian launches into space

Very important to allow private property claims in outer space. Do that and there will be no shortage of private investment.

[FReepaholic]

>>...Very important to allow private property claims in outer space. Do that and there will be no shortage of private investment...<<

I'm not well versed on history but isn't that basically how the American West was developed? I mean, that gave the railroads financial incentive to do their thing.

[adaven]

NASA doesn't need an overhaul, they need to be disbanded, and their assets sold off to private enterprise. The FAA needs to open a civilian space division to permit and regulate civilian launches into space, and then they need to stand back and let free enterprise do the rest.

Agree 100% !

[RightWhale]

isn't that basically how the American West was developed?

Sort of. Rights of way 200 miles wide were granted and the railroads were allowed to profit from activities in the rights of way. Private citizens could of course be 'railroaded,' forced to agree to an inferior deal as railroads owned railroad towns, mines, cattle ranches. Railroad barons arose, maybe robber barons. It was the high tide of capitalism, but it began with government grants.

[The Louiswu]

I think we ought to have the manned space program shut down completely. Robot vehicles are much cheaper and can do just as much "exploration" as any manned vehicles.
The money saved can be channeled into much needed social programs here on earth. Programs that will help the needy, the poor, the suffering. We should shut our eyes to the stars for a while and open them to the human suffering going on right here in front of us. We should concentrate on the humans at our finger tips and not the planets beyond our reach.
It is time to let go of childish dreams of rocketing through space in search of adventure and time to get to work on improving the conditions for all who live on this planet.
We have been irresponsible long enough, let ourselves be distracted by things that don't really matter. We have told ourselves that exploring space is a noble, brave cause that makes us all better. But I think that is the big lie, exploring space does not make us better, it detracts, it turns our attentions, it makes us wish for things we can never have.
WE CAN make a difference here on earth, that is the real truth. We can pour the money wasted on space onto the impoverished people of this land. We can raise houses instead of rockets, build communities instead of giant telescopes, help little children grow up instead of fattening the pockets of firms who make overpriced parts for obsolete, dangerous space shuttles.
Taking care of the people of this planet is not as "pretty" or exciting as the lure of space flight, but it is the just cause, the right cause and the thing we should be concentrating on.

Flame away, as I am sure some of you will.

[RoughDobermann]

The money saved can be channeled into much needed social programs here on earth

Are you series?

[Elliott Jackalope]

I could not disagree more. First, if you really want to provide more food, housing, health care, clothing, etc. etc. etc. to the needy, then the very best thing you could do is to reduce the government barriers and burdens upon those who provide those things, and allow free enterprise to take it from there.

Those things that are controlled by the government tend to become scarce, the quality drops, and the price goes up. Those things that are provided by the free market become plentiful, the quality goes up, and the price drops. This is the magic of the free market, regulated by rule of law.

As far as space travel is concerned, allow the free market to address this issue. I can confidently predict that you will be amazed by the results.

[RightWhale]

It is time to let go of childish dreams of rocketing through space

Some think earth is going to be here forever and all we have to do it tend it. Some think the sun will burn out in 10 billion years and we have that much time. Not to be deliberately scary to the 'grownups,' but we don't have that kind of time.

Thanks for putting so much of the earthlubbers' argument together in one post. It's 'no sale' to the people of China, and to the people of India already of course. They view outer space as the saving grace for the economies of their countries and earth. They shall be proven correct, and it is hoped that the rest of the countries of earth, especially America will one day soon wake up to a huge increase in rate of growth of the economy thanks to development of outer space resources. The rising tide lifts all boats.

[FReepaholic]

>>...It was the high tide of capitalism, but it began with government grants...<<

Come to think of it, here in Florida, land grants were given by the King of Spain.

Of course, the New World was a bit more fertile and had better resources than, say Earth's moon.

There's gotta be something "out there" worth captializing on, or private industry ain't gonna be interested.

Take the Space Station, for example. If LEO were conducive to producing something worth marketing here on the planet, private industry would have already jumped on the Space Station bandwagon, IMHO.

[RightWhale]

There's gotta be something "out there" worth captializing on, or private industry ain't gonna be interested.

They say space tourism will do for starters, although I think asteroid mining will be the first big item. The Chinese apparently think farms in space is the way to go. It doesn't look like there would be a problem finding something profitable that would attract business.