Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Columbia crew didn't stand a chance, NASA says
globeandmail.com ^ | 12/31/2008 | Irene Klotz

Posted on 12/31/2008 1:34:25 PM PST by BuckeyeTexan

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Astronauts on the shuttle Columbia were trying to regain control of their craft before it broke apart in 2003, but there was no chance of surviving the accident, a NASA report said on Tuesday.

From the crew's perspective, the shift from what appeared to be a normal descent on Feb. 1, 2003, into tragedy happened so fast that the astronauts did not even have time to close the visors on their helmets.

Columbia broke apart about 20 kilometres over Texas as it headed for landing at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The cause of the accident was traced to a hole in one of the shuttle's wings, which was hit by a piece of falling foam insulation during launch 16 days earlier.

Seven astronauts were killed when superheated atmospheric gases blasted inside the breach like a blow torch, melting the ship's structure.

(Excerpt) Read more at theglobeandmail.com ...


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: nasa; shuttlecolumbia; space; spaceprogram; spaceshuttle
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 141-144 next last
I saw the Challenger explode in 1986 as I stood in the parking lot of Titusville High School in Florida near Cape Canaveral.

So many years later and several states away, I watched the Columbia break apart in the skies over my home in Dallas/Fort Worth.

Both accidents were the result of repeatedly ignored warnings.

1 posted on 12/31/2008 1:34:25 PM PST by BuckeyeTexan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: BuckeyeTexan

Too bad we can’t re-instill the right stuff from the days of Apollo 13 into NASA of today.


2 posted on 12/31/2008 1:36:38 PM PST by cripplecreek (The poor bastards have us surrounded.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BuckeyeTexan

At 18,0000 miles per hour, there ain’t much hope for anyone in case of an emergency............


3 posted on 12/31/2008 1:38:08 PM PST by Red Badger (I was sad because I had no shoes to throw, until I met a reporter who had no feet.....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

“At 18,0000 miles per hour, there ain’t much hope for anyone in case of an emergency.......”

that’s what I was thinking as I listened to some spokesman on the news last night. He was talking about all the safety precautions that NASA should or is developing.


4 posted on 12/31/2008 1:40:50 PM PST by swmobuffalo ("We didn't seek the approval of Code Pink and MoveOn.org before deciding what to do")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: BuckeyeTexan

One of the earliest indicators of a problem with this shuttle was a live thread on FR.

A poster in the western US posted a thread querying/indicating visible problems with the shuttle re-entry.

Sadly, the poster was correct that there were problems.

We followed the incident to its conclusion.


5 posted on 12/31/2008 1:42:02 PM PST by TomGuy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: swmobuffalo

At that speed I’m sure it was all over in a matter of seconds, not minutes, and very few of them.............


6 posted on 12/31/2008 1:42:10 PM PST by Red Badger (I was sad because I had no shoes to throw, until I met a reporter who had no feet.....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: BuckeyeTexan
Both accidents were the result of repeatedly ignored warnings.

And let's not forget that both accidents were also caused by NASA's insistence on going with the cheapest possible design for a shuttle.

7 posted on 12/31/2008 1:44:49 PM PST by MahatmaGandu (Remember, remember, the twenty-sixth of November.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

From what I’ve heard they were unconscious in seconds but lived for minutes.


8 posted on 12/31/2008 1:45:54 PM PST by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger
Very true, if you're boring through our atmosphere with no shielding at that speed.

On the other hand, you're orbiting the sun MUCH faster than that right now.

9 posted on 12/31/2008 1:46:44 PM PST by willgolfforfood
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: MahatmaGandu

EPA regulations have also played a part as they prevent the best materials from being used.


10 posted on 12/31/2008 1:46:57 PM PST by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: MahatmaGandu

Were the O-Rings cheap, or just poorly designed?


11 posted on 12/31/2008 1:47:28 PM PST by MarkeyD (11-4-08 For the first time I can say I am ashamed of my country.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: driftdiver

The Shuttle is a prime example of the technology American Socialism produces.


12 posted on 12/31/2008 1:49:40 PM PST by bvw
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: MahatmaGandu

I googled nasa rumors today looking for news on Obama cancelling Ares and instead found an anoymous nasa board where insiders are blasting ares as the 2 worst parts of the shuttle, the foam tank and the solid boosters. it was eye opening to see so many whistle blowers that want to go in a safer direction. Nasa must go on but it needs a new approach and management.


13 posted on 12/31/2008 1:50:10 PM PST by omega4179 (itRamos and Compean)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: MarkeyD

the O rings where cold.


14 posted on 12/31/2008 1:50:49 PM PST by omega4179 (itRamos and Compean)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: MahatmaGandu

Both accidents were caused by NASAs insistence on going with a shuttle design, period.

They could have and should have gone with a reusable SSTO instead.


15 posted on 12/31/2008 1:51:01 PM PST by Spktyr (Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: TomGuy

IIRC, he didn’t report what he saw as a problem, he reported that he saw the shuttle and that there was more than one object he was tracking, like he saw some white trails alongside and he wondered what he saw, thinking it was a little odd but not a problem when he saw it

later, the media had to acknowlege that FR and that post itself was the very first visual indication of any problem


16 posted on 12/31/2008 1:52:09 PM PST by RaceBannon (We have sown the wind, but we will reap the whirlwind. NObama. Not my president.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: BuckeyeTexan

I’m sorry you saw both tragedies I was holding my breath watching sts-124 take off but went home filled with pride.


17 posted on 12/31/2008 1:52:40 PM PST by omega4179 (Bush Abandoned Ramos and Compean)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BuckeyeTexan
I love this quote from the deputy associate administrator:
“I call on spacecraft designers from all the other nations of the world, as well as the commercial and personal spacecraft designers here at home to read this report and apply these hard lessons which have been paid for so dearly,” Mr. Hale said.
18 posted on 12/31/2008 1:53:10 PM PST by Krankor (SH.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: cripplecreek
"Too bad we can’t re-instill the right stuff from the days of Apollo 13 into NASA of today."

Too bad we can’t re-instill the right stuff from the days of Apollo 13 into America of today.

19 posted on 12/31/2008 1:53:26 PM PST by editor-surveyor (The beginning of the O'Bummer administration looks allot like the end of the Nixon administration)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: BuckeyeTexan

I’ll never forget watching the video of friends and family of Christa McAuliffe watching the Challenger launch and when it exploded, and the columns of smoke diverged, one of them said, “Is it supposed to look like that?”

So sad. I can’t imagine watching that happen knowing somebody inside.


20 posted on 12/31/2008 1:54:32 PM PST by samtheman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 141-144 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson