NASA Grounds Shuttle Fleet

CNN via 580 CFRA ^ | July 27, 2005 | Greg Hebert

[holymoly]

NASA officials are grounding the entire space shuttle fleet, after reviewing video of damage done to the heat-shield tiles of Discovery during Tuesday's launch.

Officials are still working to determine just how severe the damage is. It appears a small piece of the tile was chipped-away by a falling piece of insulation foam from the orbiter's external fuel tank. NASA engineers say now it's a matter of determining if that piece was a "chip" or a "chunk".

Discovery's sister ship Atlantis was set for a September launch to send astronauts to the International Space Station. Atlantis was also on standby to be used as a rescue vessel in the event that Discovery is unable to return to earth. That option is now in limbo as NASA officials decide how next to proceed.

[b4its2late]

in order to comply with the 1987 Montreal Protocol,

Damn those enviro wackos. What will be outlawed when we end up signing Kyoto when the next dem is in office?

[Gucho]

PING what do you think?


Much to review and evaluate yet for NASA.

[RightWhale]

There at least three hot threads going on right now. It's busier than the launch itself.

[Ramtek57]

All they need to do is get some Herculiner spray on Bed Liner. Then it won't peel, chip, or flake! Here is some more information from the website. This is a unique, advanced-formula, do-it-yourself, any color you want protective coating for truck beds and SPACE SHUTTLES. This ready-to-use, textured polyurethane coating looks great and protects your vehicle. Skid resistant textured surface won't peel, chip, or flake! Bonds and seals all surfaces to prevent rust, resist gasoline, oil, solvents, and chemicals. Easy to apply: just clean and prepare the surface, brush or roll on the ready-to-use coating, and allow to dry!

[anonymoussierra]

thank you"Gucho"

[blackie]

Wait until a complete inspection has been made.

[EsmeraldaA]

I saw that, as I watch a very late or very early news show.

They actually show footage of the piece or ckunck

whatever you want to call it, flying off the shuttle at take off.


KD Ping!

[onyx]

Indeed, but can you imagine how this news must have been received by the crew?

[SE Mom]

OUTRAGEOUS and UNBELIEVABLE ping
See # 19

[onyx]

Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The EPA.

[PAR35]

it cautioned the public against overreacting

while NASA goes into panic mode.

[anonymoussierra]

thank you"blackie"

[blackie]

You are very welcome, Sara!

See ya tomorrow! :)

[microgood]

Some time ago, they changed the type of insulation they spray on the external tank to be more environmentally friendly. Apparently they are still using the bad stuff. They never had this problem when using the stuff originally designed for that tank.

[anonymoussierra]

Good Night My very good friend thank you

[diverteach]

Somehow I doubt i'd handle the 2500 degree reentry temp.

[FinallyBackInNH]

Obligatory statement, and probably reasonable considering that they don't think the THREE FOOT chunk of foam hit the shuttle vehicle. But consider the other quotes now coming out of NASA (as quoted on FOXNEWS.COM):

"We think we can make this vehicle safe for the next flight,"

"We will determine if it's safe to fly."

With qualifiers like "we think" and "will determine if", sounds like there's been a bit of "this is your last chance" going around NASA at the moment...

[FreeKeys]

Thanks for posting that!

See how runaway environmentalism also played a part 
in the World Trade Center disaster HERE, 
in the northeast blackout HERE,
in the California blackouts HERE, and
in the California wildfires (and resulting mudslides) HERE.

[somemoreequalthanothers]

Strange how NASCAR can still use leaded fuel but we jeopardize the lives of our astronauts over environmental concerns. Misplaced priorities.

[Peach]

What? This is ridiculous! Absolutely ridiculous. We're becoming a nation of weenies.