Posted on 07/01/2006 6:23:58 AM PDT by KevinDavis
Looks like a good start to for the 4th of July Weekend....
Prayers for a successful mission & safe return!
I've heard that the root cause of the foam issue is that NASA started complying with some EPA regulation regarding the application of foam. Prior to that move there were no issues with the foam falling off.
Is there any merit to that?
I recall some similar commentaries when the shuttle exploded -- that NASA had to change glues or something due to new environmental regs.
I believe it has to do with the banning of freon. Let me look...
If true I would think we need to remove whomever decided to implement this regulation and jeopardize a multi billion dollar program, lives, and national prestige.
Nasa has an exemption from EPA rules.
Shuttle Foam Loss Linked to EPA Regs
As recently as last month, NASA had been warned that foam insulation on the space shuttle's external fuel tank could sheer off as it did in the 2003 Columbia disaster - a problem that has plagued space shuttle flights since NASA switched to a non-Freon-based type of foam insulation to comply with Clinton administration Environmental Protection Agency regulations...
Mark for later.
From the left are astronauts Stephanie D. Wilson, Michael E. Fossum, both mission specialists; Steven W. Lindsey, commander; Piers J. Sellers, mission specialist; Mark E. Kelly, pilot; European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Thomas Reiter of Germany; and Lisa M. Nowak, both mission specialists.
Premiere! Sat., Jul. 1st 10:00 AM ET
NASA on HDNet
Space Shuttle Discovery STS-121 Launch - The new crew of space shuttle Discovery will return to space, continuing to test new equipment and procedures that have been designed to increase the safety of space shuttles, during the STS-121 mission to the International Space Station. HDNet, as one aspect of its partnership with NASA, will present the live launch of STS 121, as well as other significant events of launch day.
Why do they keep packing so many people onto these death traps?
thank you for the ping sir, I will be in and out of here all day.
Let's see...
There's one commander, one pilot and five mission specialists.
So, who does the actual work? :)
For the office bound:
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html
Live feed
7 brave people. I wish them well. I think they will have a great mission.
Interesting that the media have not mentioned Stephanie Wilson will be only the second African American woman to ever go into space. Maybe she's a Republican. ;)
Great stuff on HDNet now, family issues regarding the risk.Interview with Alan Shepherd's daughter.Jeez, I"m old and she's older.
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