Space Shuttle Damaged After Lift-Off

NBC New York ^ | 20 May09 | NA

[buccaneer81]

Space Shuttle Damaged After Lift-Off

Updated 2:47 PM EDT, Tue, 12, 20 May09

The space shuttle Atlantis suffered damage to the exterior two minutes after take-off.

Astronauts discovered a 21-inch stretch of nicks over four or give of thermal times on the right side of Atlantis.

[Adder]

Umm...I have some I can sell them that I got at Big Lots....
I’ll even cut the price to an even $2000.

[buccaneer81]

at first glance.. It's just a flesh wound, they probably won't need to even patch.. jmho. :-)

Yeah, that doesn't look bad at all.

[Cheetahcat]

NASA is nothing but another example of our inefficient brain dead Government at work! the Gross Stupidity exhibited here is astounding!!

Just recall the Columbia launch;the all is well, now roll back to the Challenger when Engineers on the pad said do not fly! Now this !!!!! what the hell is going on here?? The place needs closed down until sanity returns.

[a fool in paradise]

The Webb and Hubble names WERE an unfortunate coincidence...

[Bulwinkle]

“Well, the shuttle is a 29 year vehicle....”

Technical term is: Clunker

Obama want so cancel the Ares replacement and keep the Shuttles going LONGER!!!

goggle Obama Ares

[Lancey Howard]

I believe the telescope is named after the old time left-handed pitcher, Carl Hubbell.

They named the telescope the same day they installed the mis-cut mirror. It was a bad day.

[buccaneer81]

It’s what happens when politicians make engineering decisions. And one politician who bears a ton of the blame for Challenger is Richard Nixon.

[dragnet2]

I don't understand some of the humor here. Did we not witness one of our spacecraft breakup upon reentry over the U.S. and scatter the bodies of our astronauts all over Texas?

I don't see any humor in this story, and I have a really good sense of humor.

[buccaneer81]

Obama want so cancel the Ares replacement and keep the Shuttles going LONGER!!!

I'm convinced he wants to shut down the entire manned space program.

[buccaneer81]

Dark humor.

[RexBeach]

I think Mr. Obama should ride in it first. First prexie in space!

[Nik Naym]

Calm down for pete’s sake.

I watched the inspection and discovery of the scratch marks on NASA TV.What they have is a SCRATCH and it is not a big deal. They will analyze it just to be on the safe side, and if need be they can patch it up.

There is nothing here to get all worked up about.

[buccaneer81]

I think Mr. Obama should ride in it first.

America's first alien in space.

[RexBeach]

LOL!!!! Bringing hope and change to space! What a concept!

[Cheetahcat]

“I watched the inspection and discovery of the scratch marks on NASA TV.What they have is a SCRATCH and it is not a big deal. They will analyze it just to be on the safe side, and if need be they can patch it up.

There is nothing here to get all worked up about.”

I am not worked up just the embarrassment of this creaky operation is wearing thin.

[woollyone]

named after the American astronomer Edwin Hubble.

[dragnet2]

Unless you happen to be the one riding on the head of the bullet. lol....

I would imaging depending on the depth of the damage, they could possibly be in danger before they ever reentered, while still in orbit, before reaching the ISS, if that is decided.

In any event, I wish them the best of luck.

[Nik Naym]

I guess I don’t understand what is embarrassing about a scratch.

Yes, shuttle is old and it is a classic example of what you get when you engineer to political requirements. However it is a testament to man’s ingenuity that they continue to make it work.

[NormsRevenge]

That isn’t a great pic but as long as the shuttle’s structures ain’t showing, ain’t no way they need to launch the backup shuttle. they can do a visual the next few days to double check , if they have to patch , have at it, but if they are relatively shallow gouges and such, I’d let it ride.

[buccaneer81]

before reaching the ISS, if that is decided.

They can't make it to the ISS. A different orbit and not enough fuel to reach it. That's why Endeavour is sitting on the pad at KSC right now.