Posted on 01/28/2006 7:09:06 PM PST by new yorker 77
I am an Engineer, in my profession I take deep pride. To it I owe solemn obligations. Since the Stone Age, human progress has been spurred by the engineering genius. Engineers have made usable Nature’s vast resources of material and energy for Humanity's [Mankind’s] benefit. Engineers have vitalized and turned to practical use the principles of science and the means of technology. Were it not for this heritage of accumulated experience, my efforts would be feeble.
As an Engineer, I pledge to practice integrity and fair dealing, tolerance and respect, and to uphold devotion to the standards and the dignity of my profession, conscious always that my skill carries with it the obligation to serve humanity by making the best use of Earth’s precious wealth.
As an Engineer[, in humility and with the need for Divine guidance,] I shall participate in none but honest enterprises. When needed, my skill and knowledge shall be given without reservation for the public good. In the performance of duty and in fidelity to my profession, I shall give the utmost.
My brother in law was an engineer who worked on the shuttle launching pad.
Stories about the contracts, sub contracts, etc. would lead us to believe it was a miracle anything got off the ground.
He was on the Cape when the astronauts were burned up in the fire. Imagine piping pure oxygen into the capsule. As if no one thought of the terrible fire hazard.
He told us that the entire Cape was locked down and everyone questioned by the FBI to be sure it wasn't sabotage.
I couldnt believe it when a local news gal said this evening that it's "20 years since Challenger never arrived on the Moon." Argh. No wonder so many people are ill informed about space and other issues. I will have to email her and the news director to inform them the shuttle never went to the moon and is not capable of doing so! You'd think news professionals would know this. Unreal.
Over on National Geo. channel they did a show called 'Challenger: the untold story.' I did not watch it all but from what I saw of it, there was nothing new to report. It was not exactly "untold" info.
The ignorance of those working in our media is breathtaking.
Sad commemoration ping. NBC found a way not to mention Reagan either last night or tonight in their coverage on the 20th anniversary of the Challenger disaster. CBS played the end of Reagan's speech tonight. I can't remember the Challenger disaster without also remembering President Reagan's comforting presence and words. One without the other just isn't "history."
I remember
I've been staying on the sidelines reading FR for about 4 years now. I watched the video of the the "man" and had to post, set up an account and here goes.
I never knew how much until I watched the video. . .
My God how I miss him . . . .
Jon
Check out my profile brother. Look at the quotes. And if the video doesn't get you, I don't know what do say.
Welcome
vision,
Just spent the last 10 minutes reading yor profile. And yes, you are my brother.
The program indicated that they were "probably" killed due to de-pressurization, but it sounded to me like that was just wishful thinking.
The pictures of McAuliffe's parents just after the explosion really get to me. Her mother looks like mine and it tears me up every time I see that video and see the confusion and anguish in their faces.
Some chances taken in the pursuit of saving time or money or both result in death. Also, let's not forget ego.
President Ronald Reagan. What man he was! And truly a man in every respect. I miss him and his kind so much.
de-pressurization would not have killed the crew.
The crew possibly, but not certainly, lost consciousness in the seconds following orbiter breakup and they would not have been regained it before water impact. Yet, it was undetermined if the cabin actually lost pressure, so it was possible they were conscious for the near three minute descent. Slaming into the ocean is what killed them.
"When Challenger broke up, it was traveling at 1.9 times the speed of sound at an altitude of 48,000 feet. The crew module continued flying upward for some 25 seconds to an altitude of about 65,000 feet before beginning the long fall to the ocean. From breakup to impact took two minutes and 45 seconds. Impact velocity was 207 mph, subjecting the module to a braking force of approximately 200 times the force of gravity. Any astronauts still alive at that moment were killed instantly."
http://www.space-shuttle.com/challenger1.htm
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