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Bat Hung onto Shuttle During Liftoff (Moonbat?)
NASA ^
| 03.17.09
| Steven Siceloff
Posted on 03/17/2009 5:15:29 PM PDT by buccaneer81
Bat Hung onto Shuttle During Liftoff 03.17.09
A bat that was clinging to space shuttle Discoverys external fuel tank during the countdown to launch the STS-119 mission remained with the spacecraft as it cleared the tower, analysts at NASAs Kennedy Space Center concluded.
Based on images and video, a wildlife expert who provides support to the center said the small creature was a free tail bat that likely had a broken left wing and some problem with its right shoulder or wrist. The animal likely perished quickly during Discoverys climb into orbit.
Because the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge coexists inside Kennedy Space Center, the launch pads have a number of measures available, including warning sirens, to deter birds and other creatures from getting too close. The launch team also uses radar to watch for birds before a shuttle liftoff.
Nevertheless, the bat stayed in place and it was seen changing positions from time to time.
Launch controllers spotted the bat after it had clawed onto the foam of the external tank as Discovery stood at Launch Pad 39A. The temperature never dropped below 60 degrees at that part of the tank, and infrared cameras showed that the bat was 70 degrees through launch.
The final inspection team that surveys the outside of the shuttle and tank for signs of ice buildup observed the small bat, hoping it would wake up and fly away before the shuttle engines ignited.
It was not the first bat to land on a shuttle during a countdown. Previously, one of the winged creatures landed on the tank during the countdown to launch shuttle Columbia on its STS-90 mission in 1998. That animal flew away as the engines ignited.
Steven Siceloff NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center
TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bat; moonbat; spaceshuttle
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Only a Moonbat would be that crazy.
To: buccaneer81
We wondered if it was Cindy Al Sheehan but that would be pigs in space.
2
posted on
03/17/2009 5:16:14 PM PDT
by
cripplecreek
(The poor bastards have us surrounded.)
To: buccaneer81
This would be the perfect thread for a helen thomas picture.
3
posted on
03/17/2009 5:18:01 PM PDT
by
driftdiver
(I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
To: buccaneer81
LOL I'll bet that bat was wondering WTF was going on during those last few moments after liftoff......LMAO
4
posted on
03/17/2009 5:18:35 PM PDT
by
Viking2002
(The Occupation has begun. God help America.)
To: driftdiver
There is no perfect thread for a helen thomas picture.
To: driftdiver
6
posted on
03/17/2009 5:19:41 PM PDT
by
buccaneer81
(Bob Taft has soiled the family name for the next century.)
To: ItsForTheChildren
oh cmon, put her face on a bat body using photoshop. it would be priceless.
vomit inducing but priceless
7
posted on
03/17/2009 5:20:21 PM PDT
by
driftdiver
(I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
To: buccaneer81
'infrared cameras showed that the bat was 70 degrees through launch.....'....and 5,000 degrees at T+20......ROTLFMAO
8
posted on
03/17/2009 5:21:06 PM PDT
by
Viking2002
(The Occupation has begun. God help America.)
To: Viking2002
Its face was probably something like this other Monnbat:
9
posted on
03/17/2009 5:23:55 PM PDT
by
buccaneer81
(Bob Taft has soiled the family name for the next century.)
To: buccaneer81
Got a great view of the Shuttle/ISS as they went overhead this evening. Strange, but large flocks of what I thought were geese, kept interrupting my view in the dark. Maybe I should have looked closer.
10
posted on
03/17/2009 5:26:19 PM PDT
by
BallyBill
(Serial Hit-N-Run poster)
To: BallyBill
It’s passing over me at 9:16 Eastern. I’ll look for Moonbats.
11
posted on
03/17/2009 5:30:31 PM PDT
by
buccaneer81
(Bob Taft has soiled the family name for the next century.)
To: buccaneer81
:( poor bat
A bat is a bird?
Did those people think the bat was going to wake up during the daytime? hello-o
To: buccaneer81
13
posted on
03/17/2009 5:31:55 PM PDT
by
jriemer
(We are a Republic not a Democracy)
To: 1_Rain_Drop
The launch team also uses radar to watch for birds before a shuttle liftoff. No bat tracking ability??? ;-)
14
posted on
03/17/2009 5:33:07 PM PDT
by
buccaneer81
(Bob Taft has soiled the family name for the next century.)
To: buccaneer81
That’s a Major Kong yee-ha of a ride!
To: buccaneer81
16
posted on
03/17/2009 5:35:01 PM PDT
by
Bean Counter
(Stout Hearts.....)
To: 668 - Neighbor of the Beast
Thats a Major Kong yee-ha of a ride!And just as hot at the end.
17
posted on
03/17/2009 5:35:12 PM PDT
by
buccaneer81
(Bob Taft has soiled the family name for the next century.)
To: buccaneer81
For those young enough and in the Orlando/Disney area... “Must have been an E-Ticket ride!”
To: Bean Counter
19
posted on
03/17/2009 5:37:24 PM PDT
by
buccaneer81
(Bob Taft has soiled the family name for the next century.)
To: Viking2002
Viking, you are defiantly on a roll tonight! ;-)
20
posted on
03/17/2009 5:37:38 PM PDT
by
doc1019
(and a child shall lead them)
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