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'I think they would rather not know. Wouldn't it be better to have a...successful flight and die...'
UK Daily Mail ^ | 2/01/2013

Posted on 02/01/2013 3:18:12 PM PST by iowamark

NASA has revealed that the Columbia crew were not told that the shuttle had been damaged and they might not survive re-entry.

The seven astronauts who died will be remembered at a public memorial service on the 10th anniversary of the disaster this Friday at Florida's Kennedy Space Center.

The shuttle was headed home from a 16-day science mission when it broke apart over Texas on February 1, 2003, because of damage to its left wing.

Ten years ago, experts at NASA's mission control faced the terrible decision over whether to let the astronauts know that they may die on re-entry or face orbiting in space until the oxygen ran out...

There was no way to repair any suspected damage - the crew were far from the International Space Station and had no robotic arm for repairs. It would have taken too long to send up another shuttle to rescue them.

Wayne Hale, who went on to become space shuttle program manager, has written on his blog about the fateful day.

Mr Hale writes: 'After one of the MMTs (Mission Management Team) when possible damage to the orbiter was discussed, he (Flight Director Jon Harpold) gave me his opinion: ''You know, there is nothing we can do about damage to the TPS (Thermal Protection System).'

'"If it has been damaged it's probably better not to know. I think the crew would rather not know. Don't you think it would be better for them to have a happy successful flight and die unexpectedly during entry than to stay on orbit, knowing that there was nothing to be done, until the air ran out?"'...

(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: colombia; columbia; nasa; spaceshuttle
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Long but good:

Wayne Hale blog

1 posted on 02/01/2013 3:18:22 PM PST by iowamark
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To: iowamark

Not telling them was the kindest thing to do. That would’ve been my call, too.


2 posted on 02/01/2013 3:21:54 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set...)
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The crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia (left to right) are David Brown, Rick Husband, Laurel Clark, Kalpana Chawla, Michael Anderson, William McCool and Ilan Ramon
3 posted on 02/01/2013 3:22:09 PM PST by iowamark
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To: iowamark

Heartbreaking. I think that they made the right decision.


4 posted on 02/01/2013 3:23:41 PM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: iowamark

Tough call.....


5 posted on 02/01/2013 3:24:37 PM PST by Travis McGee (www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
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To: iowamark

Any warning that I can get that I am about to meet my Maker would be appreciated. Same reason I would have told them. (To say nothing of last massages to family and loved ones).


6 posted on 02/01/2013 3:24:55 PM PST by TalBlack (Evil doesn't have a day job.)
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To: iowamark

I remember feeling so incredibly impotent. I can only imagine how mission control felt, having to make that horrible choice.


7 posted on 02/01/2013 3:25:48 PM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: Travis McGee

It surely is. And living with that decision must be tough.


8 posted on 02/01/2013 3:26:57 PM PST by RushIsMyTeddyBear (Great vid by ShorelineMike! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOZjJk6nbD4&feature=plcp)
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To: TalBlack

I 100% agree. Not telling them was the wrong answer.


9 posted on 02/01/2013 3:31:03 PM PST by Future Snake Eater (CrossFit.com)
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To: iowamark

Tough decision. But I still would have wanted to get the choice to pray and say goodbye to my loved ones.


10 posted on 02/01/2013 3:33:51 PM PST by Wisconsinlady (The 2nd amendment is NOT about hunting-but protection from a tyrannical govt)
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To: TalBlack

That was my thought too, they could have had a chance to make their peace and say their goodbyes at least. I guess what you think the kindest choice is may depend on whether you’re an atheist or not.


11 posted on 02/01/2013 3:35:03 PM PST by Boogieman
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

It is the better decision to allow their deaths to be sudden and unexpected, than to have them anticipate a suffering before hand.


12 posted on 02/01/2013 3:36:35 PM PST by Jonty30 (What Islam and secularism have in common is that they are both death cults.)
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To: TalBlack

I think the crew should have been told.   If they would have wanted to orbit longer, they might have felt better about being empowered to make that decision themselves than burning up in surprise, even if that burning only took several seconds.

Remember, some of the Challenger crew might have survived several minutes, even after hitting the ocean.

I think the information should’ve been made public, such that millions might have prayed for their safe return, though it might have seemed beyond all hope. All the more glory to God if through prayer, disaster might have been averted.

By coincidence, I’m a friend of one of McCool’s grandfathers, but I don’t believe that has influenced my opinion.

HF


13 posted on 02/01/2013 3:38:26 PM PST by holden (Alter or abolish it yet?)
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FR live thread from that day:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/833885/posts


14 posted on 02/01/2013 3:39:14 PM PST by iowamark
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To: iowamark

If it had been me, I would have wanted to know.


15 posted on 02/01/2013 3:39:40 PM PST by Gator113 (Leave my guns alone and REGISTER THE DAMN LIBERALS!!)
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To: iowamark

It is hard to say. I personally would rather not know.

I had a Cousin, actually he was my Father’s First Cousin die near the first of January. His Doctor had told him around six months ago that he had an inoperable aneurism in the aorta which would kill him fairly soon. As luck would have it, he was at one of his Daughter’s birthday celebration when it burst. His entire family was there in Nashville.

On January 26, there was a memorial service held near here.
His Son said he had a couple of minutes with his family before he passed out. He told them he was not afraid to die, then according to his Son he told the family that he loved them all then passed.

In his case I think it was good that he knew what was happening. He was also very religious and had been a pastor for around 60 years.


16 posted on 02/01/2013 3:42:42 PM PST by yarddog (One shot one miss.)
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To: Future Snake Eater

Plus, they might have wanted a choice in how they die. If you had a choice, would you rather die of lack of oxygen or risk being ripped in half on re-entry?

But I agree, the most compelling reason is to make peace with your family and maker. I would have wanted to know.


17 posted on 02/01/2013 3:43:53 PM PST by RatRipper (Self-centeredness, greed, envy, deceit and lawless corruption has killed this once great nation.)
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To: Gator113

I agree.

I wouldn’t want God to be surprised with my sudden, unannounced arrival at the pearly gates.

And neither would I. :)


18 posted on 02/01/2013 3:45:02 PM PST by 353FMG ( I refuse to specify whether I am serious or sarcastic -- I respect FReepers too much.)
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To: Wisconsinlady

Any trip into space is a potential suicide mission and I think I would make sure I said what I had to say before launch.


19 posted on 02/01/2013 3:45:17 PM PST by cripplecreek (REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)
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Would rather have the opportunity to send my PIN codes and regards.


20 posted on 02/01/2013 3:46:00 PM PST by Gene Eric
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