Posted on 01/30/2005 1:07:37 PM PST by NormsRevenge
In this undated photo released by NASA (news - web sites), workers at the space agency's Orbiter Processing Facility in Cape Canaveral install in shuttle Discovery's payload bay a 50-foot boom that can be used to inspect the shuttle while in flight. The boom, which attaches to the shuttle's robotic arm, is one of the new safety measures planned for the shuttle program's return to flight following the 2003 Columbia disaster. The Discovery mission could launch as early as May 12. (AP Photo/NASA)
The first redesigned external tank for the space shuttle arrives at the Kennedy Space Center (news - web sites) in Cape Canaveral, Florida, January 6, 2005. Astronauts assigned to NASA (news - web sites)'s first shuttle mission since the 2003 Columbia disaster said on Friday they are confident mistakes and technical problems that led to that accident are in the past. Photo by Joe Skipper/Reuters
The crew of space shuttle Discovery on Mission STS-114 is shown during a press conference at the Kennedy Space Center (news - web sites) in Cape Canaveral, Florida, January 7, 2005. From left are Mission Specialist Wendy Lawrence, Mission Specialist Andrew Thomas who was born in Australia, Mission Specialist Stephen Robinson, Commander Eileen Collins, Mission Specialist Charles Camarda, Mission Specialist Soichi Noguchi of Japan and Pilot James Kelly. The crew is expected to be aboard Discovery for the return to flight launch as early as May of 2005. It will be the first launch since the shuttle Columbia disaster on February 1, 2003. REUTERS/Joe Skipper
Now, let's think about designing a newer space bird. The state of the art has come a long way since the shuttle was designed and built. Unchain those engineers! :)
I wonder if they just went back to the old, non environmentally friendly design that worked so well?
First female commander of a shuttle mission?
[AP SCOOP] Space Shuttle Columbia Will Be Visible In San Francisco Area (6AM Pacific)
Observation on TPS damage on Orbiter
I'd rather be the Pilot myself. :)
I agree , let's loose our engineers.
The scramjet looks pretty slick.
We need more commercialization of this effort in order to grow our space travel capabilities.
The govt can not afford to do an effective enough job in any timely manner.
She was commander of the shuttle that launched the Chandra X-Ray telescope, which did have some problems during liftoff. And the other good thing is she seems to care not in the least about being a feminist icon.
NASA got off way too easy for the Columbia tragedy.
(Enviro-friendly) foam hastens the destruction of the World Trade Center and is a direct cause of the shuttle break-up. Yet the MSM is STILL hyper-PC about speaking the truth.
How many more must die to prop up the PC establishment?
Glad to see the shuttle making a comeback.
"If Discovery is not flying by early June, NASA will have to wait until mid-July because of the unwavering requirement to launch the shuttle in daylight."
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Haven't been to Florida in a few years but I don't remember it being "dark" between June and July...
I forgot the free market! I fear the ghost of Reagan is probably shaking his head in disbelief.
I don't know how one could make money from spaceflight, but I'll bet there are others who already have some ideas.
The times when these conditions occur while it's also daylight in Florida are probably not particularly frequent.
For a more detailed explanation, see Fundamentals of Astrodynamics.
False bravado with a somewhat hollow ring (at least this time around). I heard identical sentiments from astronauts after NASA reforms immediately following the Challenger crash.
Thanks a lot, DW.
Take a flippant, light-hearted, sarcastic observation and turn it into a science lesson!!!!
Like I needed "that" on a day with no football???!!?? :>
Can't remember which Shuttle I got to see at Palmdale, my Son got us passes and we had a family outing....
I think their are some good years left in the Birds....
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