Space Shuttle Landing Live Thread(Update: 2d Pass on landing. Weather unstable. 24 Hour extension)

08/07/05 | Kevin Davis

[KevinDavis]

Well since the Space Shuttle is landing at 4:45 am, I figure I start a live thread now (I won't be awake)...

[leadpenny]

Post 65.

[A.A. Cunningham]

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts114/050805landingtracks/

[newzjunkey]

They were working the problem because they didn't know it was caused by wing damage. The military offered to photograph the shuttle Columbia for NASA. NASA's engineers all signed off that the debris hitting the wing was of no consequence. In fact they even decided *not* to use an alternate flight used to break more and differently to reduce stress on the wing because they were so sure. They were pompous and felony stupid at NASA. The CA engineers who used to work the shuttle knew it was trouble. Amateurs at FR and elsewhere on-line knew a chunk of ice at that velocity was trouble.

And yet, seeming because NASA knew it couldn't actually fix the problem in space, couldn't get Columbia up to ISS, couldn't dock Columbia with anything, couldn't use EVA suits, couldn't use a robotic arm for snap shots... they didn't bother pursuing the issue and just hoped they were right. Those seven were already dead just after lift off and didn't know it yet. Columbia's loss was a truly horrific case of incompetence and lack of preparedness.

The reality didn't set it until reentry began and the warning light went off. When the Columbia started to come apart, the astronauts were definitely alive. There was definitely a point where knew they would never make it home.

There's every indication even Challenger's astronauts died on the way down or upon hitting the water rather than in the initial explosion.

[leadpenny]

IIRC . . . and that was because they (Columbia) delivered a super secret satellite to a special orbit.

[Dont_Tread_On_Me_888]

When the Shuttle Columbia broke up over Texas, it was just twenty minutes from touchdown at the Cape.

By the looks of that map, it will be over Costa Rica or Nicaraugua about 20 minutes before touchdown. Sure would be nice if airline flights were just as fast.

[CindyDawg]

On, please.

[Fred Nerks]

bookmark

[Thinkin' Gal]

Yikes, looks like a hurricane tracking map.

[NautiNurse]

Discovery is coming into Florida airspace over Naples. Don't think we'll hear it this time.

[EsmeraldaA]

Are you staying up for this Kd?

[Howlin]

I don't have a space ping list; Kevin does though!

[kinsman redeemer]

I suspect...

So, you're suspicious.

[leadpenny]

I was just looking at the forecast winds for tomorrow morning. They should be light (5 knots or less) out of the ssw at the Cape. If NASA decides to land Discovery to the se and make a right turn to get there, my guess is that you might be able to catch a glimpse in Orlando. Lots of 'maybes,' I know.

[Kramster]

This is cool !!

I gotta be at work at 5:00 A.M. -- but I'll wake up earlier for this !!

[bonfire]

I think we need a "night-owl" ping list.

[The Westerner]

Nor I. Once again FR was ahead of the news as I'm sure it will be tonight. Is anyone else a little worried?

[RightWhale]

That's right. They had an indicator that the heatshield had popped. Later they decided it hadn't. Glenn said that the retro pack made quite a display as it burned away.

[KevinDavis]

Nope...

[RightWhale]

Is anyone else a little worried?

No sense worrying unless in a position to do something about it. We're interested, though, to the extent that what is done on this flight will determine what is done on following flights and the general direction of the space program.

[KevinDavis]

I'm a littled worried, but I think things will go fine...