As I have told others privately, I was an Army Helicopter Pilot during the Nam years and the Apollo Program was what I used to identify with. Because the astronauts trained in helicopters for the lunar landings, I truly imagined myself along for the ride. During the shuttle program my interest has never waned. Since I have NASA-TV, I try not to miss too much. Saturday morning seemed like such a natural match for a recovery and a thread on Free Republic. NASA gave the go-ahead for the de-orbit burn and the spokesman gave the route across the US and I, again, attempted to live vicariously through others.
Winodog, Ken in Texas, and others didn't disappoint me. McGruff comes through with interesting stuff like he routinely does on The Morning Show Thread. Sam Adams76's remarks at #86 gave a timely perspective as the tragedy unfolded. The prayer, written by TEXOKIE at #142, and the poem composed by WomanofStandard at #189 are also wonderful examples of what FReepers do.
The beauty and genius of FreeRepublic is what others contribute and share.
What warm thoughts and words. As a true hero type, you give credit to others.
May I say... THANK YOU for serving our country in Viet Nam. YOU are one of my heroes, leadpenny. I'm sure you were a brave young man... flying helicopters low and close to trees. Thank you.
The memorial service is at NASA/Johnson Space Center on Tuesday. President Bush and his wife will be attending. I'll be there in your stead, also. The space program will endure. BTW, just talked to a NASA pilot friend of mine. He's leaving for North Texas in the morning. He can't say why he's going there but we can use our imagination.
Did you catch Larry King last night, Saturday, when he had on a pilot who watched the shuttle fly overheard from out west somewhere? He insisted that he and some other pilots who witnessed the fly-over all believed the shuttle was flying much lower than 200,000'.
Early reports on FR gave conflicting altitudes also.
Plus, if they were only 16 minutes to touchdown, wouldn't they be much lower in the sky prior to landing?
And it's been reported they were going 12,500 mph over Dallas, due to land in 16 minutes. But it's only about 1,200 miles from Dallas to KSC. At that rate of speed, they'd be landing in seven or eight minutes. So were they going too fast at that point, "out of control," or has the speed been misreported?
Also, given they had already entered the atmosphere around 5:45 am, as you, Leadpenny reported, they must have been flying lower to result in any intact body parts being recovered. Especially given that the debris was generally found directly beneath the flight path.
And finally, have we heard anything about the exact communications with MC 15 minutes before the final "Roger, bu..."?
Such a tragic puzzle.