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07-28-2005, 11:51 AM
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#1 of 37 
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Shuttle Fleet Grounded
More insulation is falling off the shuttle on launch.
"Benjamin, I have just one word for you - Chickenwire."
Go Orange, Go Blue,
Fight Fight Fight BSU!
It\'s not whether you win or loose that counts, but whether you win.
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07-28-2005, 12:12 PM
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#2 of 37
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Hasn't NASA ever heard of duct tape?
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07-28-2005, 01:16 PM
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#3 of 37
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Has the fleet ever been grounded when a shuttle was in space?
I predict lots of coverage for the reentry & landing.
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07-28-2005, 01:54 PM
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#4 of 37
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It's amazing that they've spent all this time and money researching this problem--and it didn't change anything. I realize that this was the only test that really mattered--the real thing, but still, it makes you wonder what they did all that time. Supposedly chunks of insulation have been coming off since the very first launches, it's nothing new, but sheesh.
"I'LL SHOW YOU THE LIFE OF THE MIND!!!" - Barton Fink
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07-28-2005, 02:37 PM
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#5 of 37
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Bob, the problem is not exactly simple. And, therefore, NASA now realizes there is more work to be done.
Chris, this is the first time the fleet has been grounded while an orbiter is still in space. It makes, overall, the fourth grounding of the orbiters (after the Challenger tragedy in 1986; after wiring issues surfaced in -- when was it? -- I think about four or so years ago; after the Columbia tragedy initially; and now, after the disturbing images were reviewed yesterday).
NASA's new (and quite exciting) administrator, Mike Griffin, is no fan of this system (nor of the International Space Station). He would like to limit the Space Shuttle to no more than 15 more flights (and preferably fewer) to fulfill our obligations to the international consortium behind the International Space Station. Instead, Griffin wants to proceed at full speed to develop the next-generation vehicle, the Crew Exploration Vehicle.
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07-28-2005, 03:01 PM
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#6 of 37
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Quote:
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I predict lots of coverage for the reentry & landing.
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Considering that Columbia was lost on re-entry, lots of coverate was a given. |
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07-28-2005, 03:18 PM
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#7 of 37
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These old clunkers are over thirty years old. Maybe they outa' think about trading them in on a newer model.
Mort
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07-28-2005, 03:54 PM
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#8 of 37
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Mort, as already mentioned, the Crew Exploration Vehicle is the next-generation U.S. manned spacecraft, which, currently, is now a design competition between the two leading aerospace contractors and NASA. Their designs are to be presented to NASA in September.
And the Space Transportation System -- i.e., the Space Shuttle -- first flew on April 12, 1981, which makes the machine active for a total of 24 years (though the design itself does go back to more than 30 years).
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07-28-2005, 04:30 PM
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#9 of 37
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Quote:
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And the Space Transportation System -- i.e., the Space Shuttle -- first flew on April 12, 1981, which makes the machine active for a total of 24 years (though the design itself does go back to more than 30 years).
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The B-52 has been around for 50 years and is still working fine. Maybe they could strap a couple of booster along the side and ...
Go Orange, Go Blue,
Fight Fight Fight BSU!
It\'s not whether you win or loose that counts, but whether you win.
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07-28-2005, 04:56 PM
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#10 of 37
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Just being a little facetious Jack. I pulled out the 30 year figure as I thought I recalled them being built in the Carter era....guess they didn't fly until later. It's my understanding that they were never intended to be used for anywhere near this length of time (nor were the B52's  )
Mort (who wouldn't want to be stationed on the space station and dependent on these things for nuttin') |
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