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.

[Tatze]

That damage would seem to be minor. Location on the wing and proximity to key systems under the tile is the key.

It is, however, a miracle that this shuttle mission survived reentry: Legendary commander tells story of shuttle's close call (1988 Atlantis heat tile damage)

[Cheetahcat]

"Space shuttle Atlantis lifts off on a mission to NASA’s Hubble Telescope
from its launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, May 11, 2009."

Absolutely beautiful picture.

[Cheetahcat]

“Will the next telescope after that be named “Chelsea” in honor of his daughter?
Depends on how ugly it is.”

Ha Ha Ha Good! She looks more like Hubbel than the Bent one.

[fatima]

First initials,oldest and only etc. :)

[scottteng]

Where does one get one of those foam squirters? I hate those little plastic straws they come with.

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

Dunno.

I did an image search at Google.

[rdl6989]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30700789/

[chessplayer]

DU`ers think this is all a hoax/conspiracy/setup. They would be ecstatic about another shuttle disaster.

“My prediction from the start of this mission is that NASA intends to stage a heart wrenching, nation grabbing event - no matter how minor the scrapes on the shuttle - in order to get more money out of Obama. The second shuttle will be deployed, we’ll all gather around the television for the risky retrieval of the first crew and when they’re back on earth we’ll be so bloody full of that red, white and blue “can do” spirit that NASA will get a blank check.”

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3873140

[buccaneer81]

Nothing from that cesspool shocks me anymore.

[KevinDavis]

I'm not worried..

[Vaquero]

dosent sound as bad as other times where they landed safely.

[driftdiver]

“Would you take a 29-year-old Chevy on a long, long road trip? “

All depends on how well you maintained it. B-52’s are still flying and they are far older.

[Captain Beyond]

Not sure for me. As always with any space mission I have them in my prayers for a safe mission and return trip. I heard on FOX and am glad NASA has the other shuttle ready if anything happens just good sense there. It might cost more but better safe than sorry. Having the camera inspections is paying off. It is showing NASA is learning and adapting which is good to see.

[Frank_Discussion]

Then stop biting your nails. This is not cause for cuticular abuse.

The scratch is insignificant.

[Cheetahcat]

“Then stop biting your nails. This is not cause for cuticular abuse.

The scratch is insignificant”

That was not my point.

[KevinDavis]

It is dangerous, but you have to remember one thing.. The media has an agenda.. I trust NASA scientist over the media types..

[Frank_Discussion]

“That was not my point.”

What was your point, then?

[Cheetahcat]

““That was not my point.”

What was your point, then?”

Well I guess the problems with poorly done foam insulation Every launch! Did I say poorly? More like Russian roulette with five rounds in six chambers.

[Captain Beyond]

It is dangerous, but you have to remember one thing.. The media has an agenda.. I trust NASA scientist over the media types..

Hey I agree with you there. No doubt about it. I am mainly pointing out that in all of this the story is in this situation is that NASA has changed a good bit and made some great strides in how they operate. I think that is coming out maybe a bit more slowly with some of the reporting but still coming out.

[ReignOfError]

they do not learn from past Gross errors in that area..

Well, yeah, except for the part where they did. Since Columbia, NASA has:

• Added a fusillade of high-speed cameras to monitor launches
• Added a camera boom to the cargo arm to allow close-up inspections
• Practiced EVA in case an even closer inspection is needed
• Started carrying repair materials
• Developed procedures including another shuttle on the pad in case needed
• Cancelled all Shuttle missions except those that no other booster can perform, namely ISS construction and this one last Hubble repair.