[AP SCOOP] Space Shuttle Columbia Will Be Visible In San Francisco Area (6AM Pacific)

nasa

[July 4th]

Great scoop guys - FR does it again, and with respect and prayers.

[OldFriend]

The seven precious souls were lifted to heaven by the loving people around the world who watched in awe as it passed overhead.

May their families find comfort in knowing how much their courage meant to all of us here on earth.

[ventana]

FreeRepublic IS the real breaking news. Citizen Reporters Unite!!! V's wife.

[DoughtyOne]

Now that's cool.

[Gracey]

Thanks so very much for this link. I've worked at NASA most of my career and didn't know this site existed. It's awesome. Thanks

[DoughtyOne]

Nice thread LP. By doing what comes naturally here on F.R. you scooped em by 11 minutes. Kudos to you and the contributors of this thread. From exitement and jubilation to concern, confusion, sorrow and mourning. On FR we cover all the emotions.

What helps is to have people you can talk about it with. People who are pretty bright chime in to smooth over the rough spots, when people voice their conjectures.

Thanks for starting the thread. Sorry it turned out the way it did.

[NELSON111]

BFL

[Gracey]

Leadpenny, I surely don't know you but it's impressive that you are so into NASA that you started a link yesterday encouraging others to step outside and take a look at it's passing.

I've spent my career, since 63, at NASA, the last 20 in the Space Shuttle Program, and I'm still impressed by people, such as you. How did you get so interested?

I saw a local TV station show the Orbiter and it's streaks about 7:59. (I was watching C-SPAN hoping to catch CPAC live at 8:00 CST, got bored listening to callins blasting Bush so started channel surfing.) It didn't look right since I'd never seen those streaks quite like that.

Anyhow, I turned on the computer and found your thread. Got the data on FR before anywhere else, thanks to you.

I'm still curious about YOUR curiosity regarding the space program. With Respect... Gracey

[RobFromGa]

Wow, this thread is very touching. You have made a piece of FReeper history, friend.

[woofie]

You made the Wall Street Journal...Thank for a moving thread and a piece of history

The Web Gets a Scoop (Wall St. Journal Lauds Free Republic on Challenger Coverage) Wall St. Journal/Opinion Journal ^ | Sunday, February 2, 2003 1:29 p.m. EST | BY JAMES TARANTO

Posted on 02/02/2003 12:19 PM PST by Behind Liberal Lines

It's said that journalism is the first draft of history. If so, the Internet sometimes affords us a glimpse at history's rough outline. At 8:38 a.m. EST yesterday, a reader of the Free Republic Web site started a discussion thread for shuttle enthusiasts:

Space Shuttle Columbia is in a decent for the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and will pass over the San Francisco Area around 6:00 AM Pacific Time. Route will take the Shuttle over Las Vegas, Flagstaff, etc. NASA has still not decided which runway will be used. Landing will be at 9:16 AM Eastern.

Other Freepers joined in, describing the view of the descending shuttle from the West Coast--then gradually realizing something was amiss. Someone asks at 8:58 a.m. EST, "Was it glowing at all?" The first clear sign of trouble comes in a post at 9:05 a.m. We won't quote any more than this, because you really have to read the full thread to appreciate the drama. But it's worth noting that the first word of trouble didn't come across the Associated Press wire until 9:16, the scheduled landing time. Free Republic scooped the AP by at least 11 minutes--which is an eternity in the competitive world of wire-service reporting.

[McGruff]

It would be interesting if you could put down some more of your thoughts as this was happening.

I was watching TV on my computer. I saw this thread right after it started but didn't have anything to add. I was going to make a snide comment about the Left Coasters not being up at that time of the morning but I didn't. Glad I didn't now, I was wrong.

My first indication I had of something wrong was MSNBC's anchor saying Houston had lost contact. See reply 43. What was scary was someone was saying "We should have seen it by now". "It should be here by now". I guess they were at Kennedy Flight Center. It took me a few minutes to upload the screen capture and post it.

It doesn't seem too long after that when CNN started showing the first video, See reply 48. At that time I knew they were gone.

That's my thought's at that time.

[Semper911]

You have made a piece of FReeper history, friend.

FReeper history, indeed. I am happy to call myself a FReeper. In many ways, this is better than any other community I can think of. We all have so much to offer; our curiosities, our expertise, our observations. I feel very fortunate to have real-time access to each one of you.

[TLBSHOW]

BUMP

[winodog]

This is a article from the local paper.

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2003/Feb-02-Sun-2003/news/20604836.html

[HighWheeler]

See the WSJ decription of this FR scoop

[djf]

I was working on installing win98 on one of my PC's (I hate that part when it says 'Getting ready to run Windows 98 for the first time'... Had KING-5 news on the tube (Seattle) in the background and heard the announcement about 6:16 that NASA had lost contact.
Knew as soon as I heard it something disastrous went on, but from the first thought some terrorist stunt.
KING-5 switched to NBC network, and within about 7 minutes, they had the footage, it was obvious from the footage that it was lost, large chunks breaking off and glowing.
All I can say is my hopes and prayers go out to the families and friends, as well as all at NASA, I know what it is like to lose a loved one, and I am truly deeply moved by the responses of my fellow Americans, who almost to a man have treated the incident and the people affected with the deepest honor and respect.

[Matchett-PI]

BTTT!!

[Eastbound]

BTTT!

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Did not know about this thread until today - but knew FR would have a "live" thread at the time of this event. (FR is ALWAYS ahead of other news "sources" because of our awesome citizen reporter "army").

Thank you, leadpenny, for starting this historic and very moving thread. It gives chills to read it.

I have a couple of questions - perhaps they can be answered on other threads about this tragedy.

1. You mentioned, LP, about these 80 degree turns - and that you did not recall such turns on previous Shuttle returns you have watched. Can you or Gracey elaborate on why these turns were needed on this mission and not on others? (if that is true) - or link me to a thread or a post that has such explanations?

2. My husband reported that he heard during the day Saturday that photographers in California photographed what appeared to be "stuff" around the Vehicle that normally would not be there - such as panels outside the bay or some such - but I have not heard or read anything about such pictures anywhere else. The only thing was the picture of the shuttle which looked very strange to me - amom has the link to the video - but I have not heard of an official explanation of the position of the Vehicle in that video as posted by "amom" - nor have I seen any other photographs or discussions about any "panels" or other objects sitcking out of the shuttle vehicle while it was seen over California Can anyone shed any light on this report?

Thanks again for all FR input on this subject and for this amazing thread. One for the history books for sure. God be with the families of the Astronauts and may the world see the glee of Iraqi's and Pali's over this tragedy as the abomination that it is.

[McGruff]

From another thread