Posted on 01/30/2003 10:22:12 PM PST by Jeff Head
heh, heh. I read the first one, and I gotta tell ya Travis, another compelling read looks like. BTW, just a guess, but the "sniper" the police sharpshooter takes out is a patsy???
Looks like I'll have to set aside funds for another book purchase.
FGS
I finished the first installment of your series and thoroughly enjoyed it. Like most good writers developing a wide ranging story line, it takes about half the first book for you to lay the foundation. But, it appears you've built on bedrock. Once the "action" begins, it's time to "fasten yer seat belts folks"! Compelling reading Jeff. Looking forward to starting volume two, "Trodden Under",
Thank you so much for those very kind words. I know you will enjoy volume II as well, and volume III will be out in the next four weeks or so.
If you are so inclined, please consider a review on Amazon regarding Volume I ... and when you finish Volume II, if you like it as well, please consider one there too. I can use all the positive info I can get over there.
... but on this day of mourning, my thoughts are with the families of those brave souls lost today. May we resolve to push those frontiers even further and do so in the spirit of faith, research, exploration, inginuity and independence that are all bedrock foundational qualities of our nation.
Best wishes to your daughter and family.
Well, I'm not as good a writer as some folks around here, but I'd be glad to post a glowing review at Amazon. Well deserved IMO.
... but on this day of mourning, my thoughts are with the families of those brave souls lost today.
Just so. I gotta tell ya, when I felt and heard the rumble, I suspected something more sinister. Bad enough we lose some of our best in a tragic accident, but from the sound and feel of it, I was prepared for something worse. May God indeed be with them; and may He comfort their families.
FGS
Hmmmm, well on second thought, maybe I won't have to spring for the price of another tome ; )
Best of luck on your literary endeavors.
Godspeed,
FGS
As far as sabotage is concerned, security was very tight before launch and I do not believe they could have gotten the necessary equipment/materiel/explosives on the shuttle, and I also do not believe they could have accessed the telemetry. While terrorists may have made an attempt at the physical access beforehand, in my estimation it would take the resources of a nation to attempt intercepting/hacking the telemetry.
As far as anti-sat attempts are concerned, it would take a nation to do that and the only ones that may be capable are either Russia or China. I do not believe Russia would gain from doing so, only terrible risk. I do not believe China is there yet in terms of capability, althgough they are trying. If they were, and if they did try, it would only be in concert with a larger, much more general attack on us because the signature of an anti-sat attack would be obvious and would invite immediate disproportionate retaliation.
As far as anti-sat attempts are concerned, you'd see something relatively low-tech and straight forward IMHO, like either another satellite or a missile launched into space depositing a cloud of ball bearings in the path of the oncoming target. (There is some of this in book two of my series that results in horrible catastrophy).
No, I believe this was just a critical failure of some sort that occurred (for reasons as yet unknown) at a crucial time as the shuttle was in re-entry. A catastrophic failure at that time could not be recovered from.
May the good Lord in Heaven weatch over their souls and may He comfort the families, relatives and friends.
FGS - I look forward to that review, thanks so much again!
I believe this was just a critical failure of some sort that occurred (for reasons as yet unknown) at a crucial time as the shuttle was in re-entry. A catastrophic failure at that time could not be recovered from.
Although I am not certain at this point what the cause was, clearly, there was a major problem along the left wing that resulted in all of those sensors going out and increased pressure on the landing gear tires, etc. Something bad went wrong during the most severe thermal stress on the vehicle, the results spread rapidly and led to the breakup of the vehicle.
Space exploration is, by default, dangerous and every one of those involved know it ... and accept that as a part of their life in pushing the frontier forward. From time to time, we are reminded how dangerous by such sad events as these.
I am impressed at the forthrightness of NASA at this time and believe that we will find out what the ultimate cause was soon.
It was a tragic day for those people and their familes ... for our nation and and for the program. But I believe we will rise above it and continue, with even more purpose.
Most likely scenario IMO. Anything else almost requires tin foil. I found it curious the NASA man(Dittemore?) said something yesterday about the insulation falling off the external tank, particularly on liftoff, and hitting the shuttle was a fairly common occurrence????????? I'm sure someone must have asked why this problem hasn't been fixed, but I guess I missed it. Seems odd they would allow a situation like this to persist regardless of the presumed minimal risk to the shuttle. Oh Well...
FGS
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