Posted on 08/25/2006 4:48:21 PM PDT by RightWhale
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2006 1430 GMT (10:30 a.m. EDT)
The shuttle Atlantis' countdown continues to tick smoothly toward launch on a space station assembly mission. Liftoff is targeted for 4:30 p.m. Sunday. The latest forecast calls for a 60 percent chance of favorable weather, improving to 80 percent "go" Monday and Teusday. The concern Sunday is for possible afternoon thunderstorms within the launch area.
=================================================
(Excerpt) Read more at spaceflightnow.com ...
Actually, I hope it gets delayed until Monday. I'll be in Ft. Lauderdale then and my just drive up to watch the show.
Hey! It's the exact opposite of Congress. In Congress you can watch a pillar of smoke turn into $1 billion in new taxes in minutes. Well, okay, maybe not smoke, but plenty of hot air, anyway; verging on smoke sometimes.
All liquids and freeze-dried foods are being thoroughly inspected before they're allowed on the shuttle. Ya never know where the terrorists might strike!
jk
NASA is a bargain compared to other government programs. The problem is the manned space program is doing nothing more than making work.
I hope some of the baby terrorists can get a chance to watch these space launches and take a look upward toward the ISS and the moon and Mars sometime before they blow themselves up. Some of them might get a fresh idea that there is more to life than terrorism and decide to become productive.
Oh gosh. Think of all the droning about hockey and beer.
The next mission after this one, STS-116, is set to lift off at 6:55 pm on Dec 14 so I think it will be dark then. Apparently they are comfortable having night launches again.
The manned space program is at least giving some the idea that it might be possible to do something productive and profitable in space. It also contributes to national security just by being there to awe somebody who might otherwise think he has a shot at being significant by pointlessly blowing up his neighbors, or even give pause to the gov't of a foreign power that might like to try out America--think again!
Our family friend (and my boy's Bible Study teacher) is the mission specialist on this flight, Joe Tanner. We lifted him and his family up in prayer last Sunday, which was the last day before quarantine.
We are fortunate to also have astronauts Pat Forrester and Steve Lyndsey at our church helping to lead our children into Christ-loving adults.
What a blessing for us to have such men in our church family.
I have to run along for a while. I'll check back later.
I think this mission is to rescue Pluto from being disenfranchised. No planet left behind.
Then they should lead by example. Otherwise, the private sector is already doing that job.
It also contributes to national security just by being there to awe somebody who might otherwise think he has a shot at being significant by pointlessly blowing up his neighbors, or even give pause to the gov't of a foreign power that might like to try out America--think again!
Take a look around the world. It's not working.
It is helping to develop world class engineers and technology. It also gives our corporation tremendous advanatges when bidding major contracts internationally.
Those companies, like Boeing, Lockheed and over a HUNDRED other small high tech firms are able to include in their proposals that they have proved themselves competant and advanced enough to support the US Spacegflight program.
It is far better than simply stating they are ISO-9001 certified, or some such.
You must ask yourself why it is that every other nation that is trying to compete with the US has established their own spaceflight programs, we ahve the European space Agency always trying to become more independent of the US, japan, and China all pouring more and more money into their programs. I believe India now is also working on it.
The most advanced nations MUST lead the world in basic research and technology development. Our US malitiary has contributed greatly to this advancement, and it is essential that we have non-military programs do the same.
Advanced system engineering was developed by NASA proagrams. Microelectronics were driven by the Space program. Computer aided engineering and simulations were spearheaded by NAS (you only get 1 shot to get it right). Microcomputers, quality control, human factors engineering, aerospace technologies...on and on.
Every engineering comopany ion the USA would ike to include NASA contracts in their qualifications to win international engineering programs.
People never realize what a competitive advantage NASA gives to our companies. It is huge.
When i travel overseas and meet with generals and politicians, their eyes light up when you can tell them your company has done such and such for the space shuttle, or ISS. They then view you as the #1 company.
Thanks for the thread! Bookmark.
Don't kid yourself. There's not a country out there that wouldn;t like to be more like the USA in one way or another.
I've traveled the world many times over, for 2 decades. There's a big difference between what the meida prtrays of the USA and what the people on the ground think deep down.
The USA is the most respected nation on the face of the planet. bar none.
"NASA is a bargain compared to other government programs. The problem is the manned space program is doing nothing more than making work."
Every mission we learn. Every mission is experience that you can only get by flying a vehicle in space. It all matters. We are learning how to construct large structures in space. We are doing something that mankind has never done before. We are learning how to live in space, work in space. All this is important. Everytime.
The last construction flight to the ISS was with STS-113 (for the P1 truss) from November 24-December 7, 2002. This is a little less than 4 years.
Make other plans as we have had torrential rains over the past four days starting after 3 pm. NASA knows this as we all set our watches by it every August. Why they chose an afternoon launch is beyond me.
It also takes time.. Again, NASA can't just do anything they want to. They must answer to the President and Congress who sets NASA policy like all goverment agencies.. Had the past admins and Congress continued the moon program and then Mars, NASA would have done so.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.