Columbia Discussion thread

Feb 1, 2003

[martin_fierro]

Post hoc, ergo propter hoc.

[bootless]

Apparently not. One ABC radio news, which I had on, listening to a rerun of Armstrong & Getty out of Sacramento, they dragged it on before saying what happened. But Control was telling them that they were looking so good they didn't even need to trim the craft.

So, I had ABC TV on down here at the office (no cable), and just turned to the Fox affiliate - thank God they are running FNC, Shep and Tony. We need Brit.

I have a horrible feeling about this. I think it's EXTREMELY premature for the WH to say "Nope, no terrorism here" - the debris is stil falling - HOW CAN THEY TELL?!!! Probably want the mythical yahoos to not run around, shooting people or something. Just insane.

[Movemout]

"Not a heat spike within the shuttle - from the US spy sats. Our early warning satellites picked up an atmospheric "spike" where the shuttle was. "

I think a hunk of metal traveling at the speed of the shuttle burning up in the atmosphere would generate a "spike" easily seen by any of the DSP assets in position to observe the event.

[DTA]

Speaking of Baghdad, Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon was one of the pilots who destroyed Iraqi Osirak nuclear reactor .

We all owe so much to him.

[mombonn]

That new video is the most chilling yet. I'm still numb since hearing this first thing this morning.

[EternalVigilance]

National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
Houston, Texas 77058

Biographical Data

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RICK DOUGLAS HUSBAND (COLONEL, USAF) NASA ASTRONAUT

PERSONAL DATA: Born July 12, 1957, in Amarillo, Texas. Married. Two children. He enjoys singing, water and snow skiing, cycling, and spending time with his family.

EDUCATION: Graduated from Amarillo High School, Amarillo, Texas, in 1975. Received a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Texas Tech University in 1980, and a master of science degree in mechanical engineering from California State University, Fresno, in 1990.

ORGANIZATIONS: Member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, Tau Beta Pi, Air Force Association, and the Texas Tech Ex-Students Association.

SPECIAL HONORS: Distinguished Graduate of AFROTC, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Squadron Officers School, F-4 Instructor School, and USAF Test Pilot School; Outstanding Engineering Student Award, Texas Tech University, 1980; F-4 Tactical Air Command Instructor Pilot of the Year (1987); named a 1997 Distinguished Engineer of the College of Engineering, Texas Tech University. Military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Aerial Achievement Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, two NASA Group Achievement Awards for work on the X-38 Development Team and the Orbiter Upgrade Definition Team.

EXPERIENCE: After graduation from Texas Tech University in May 1980, Husband was commissioned a second lieutenant in the USAF and attended pilot training at Vance Air Force Base (AFB), Oklahoma. He graduated in October 1981, and was assigned to F-4 training at Homestead AFB, Florida. After completion of F-4 training in September 1982, Husband was assigned to Moody AFB, Georgia flying the F-4E. From September to November 1985, he attended F-4 Instructor School at Homestead AFB and was assigned as an F-4E instructor pilot and academic instructor at George AFB, California in December 1985. In December 1987, Husband was assigned to Edwards AFB, California, where he attended the USAF Test Pilot School. Upon completion of Test Pilot School, Husband served as a test pilot flying the F-4 and all five models of the F-15. In the F-15 Combined Test Force, Husband was the program manager for the Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 increased performance engine, and also served as the F-15 Aerial Demonstration Pilot. In June 1992, Husband was assigned to the Aircraft and Armament Evaluation Establishment at Boscombe Down, England, as an exchange test pilot with the Royal Air Force. At Boscombe Down, Husband was the Tornado GR1 and GR4 Project Pilot and served as a test pilot in the Hawk, Hunter, Buccaneer, Jet Provost, Tucano, and Harvard. He has logged over 3800 hours of flight time in more than 40 different types of aircraft.

NASA EXPERIENCE: Husband was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in December 1994. He reported to the Johnson Space Center in March 1995 to begin a year of training and evaluation. Upon completion of training, Husband was named the Astronaut Office representative for Advanced Projects at Johnson Space Center, working on Space Shuttle Upgrades, the Crew Return Vehicle (CRV) and studies to return to the Moon and travel to Mars. Most recently, he served as Chief of Safety for the Astronaut Office. He flew as pilot on STS-96 in 1999, and has logged 235 hours and 13 minutes in space. Husband is assigned to command the crew of STS-107 scheduled for launch in 2003.

SPACE FLIGHT EXPERIENCE: STS-96 Discovery (May 27 to June 6, 1999) was a 10-day mission during which the crew performed the first docking with the International Space Station and delivered 4 tons of logistics and supplies in preparation for the arrival of the first crew to live on the station early next year. The mission was accomplished in 153 Earth orbits, traveling 4 million miles in 9 days, 19 hours and 13 minutes.

JANUARY 2003

[exhaustedmomma]

Thanks. My mother-in-law is in a retirement village on the west end of Shreveport. She, and her pals, were outside looking for "stuff." I told them to go to the clubhouse and look out the windows. I am not trying to sound trite or spooked... but I just didn't think they needed to be out there on walkers, etc. AND I didn't understand exactly what that was showing... they probably don't need to be breathing that stuff either. Most of them are in weakened health anyway. Thanks.

[Dog Gone]

Fox reporting that debris has been spotted in NEW MEXICO, Texas, and Arkansas.

From the radar trail, I could understand Texas and New Mexico, but Arkansas seems far out of the path. I suppose anything is possible, though, with debris travelling 12,000 mph.

[Howlin]

How "wide" is the debris field going to be? Over many states?

[rintense]

At what point do they lower the tires? I'd assume it was too soon. So, assuming the landing gear was retracted, the indication of loss of tire pressure *could* mean that the shuttle began to rip apart on the belly.

[dep]

Could the onboard computers be hacked?

Always a possibility but it could also be some bad coding or just a hairline crack that let go.

sadly, nasa's software security has historically been just awful -- with things like changes taking place underway during tests and so on. though it is only a slight possibility, it is certainly a finite one that somebody screwed with this. the idea posted earlier that a landing gear door came open is by far the most consistent explanation offered so far; the question then comes down as to whether this was a hardware or software failure.

dep

[rintense]

Huckabee said debris in three Arkansas counties.

[Chi-townChief]

"I was a teenager in New Hampshire, watching live when the Challenger exploded - we were so proud that a teacher form our state had been chosen, and our moment of pride quickly turned to sorrow... I had hoped to never see anything like that ever again... Now this... I am speechless..."

Unfortunately and paradoxically, tragic death like this is part of life. For some reason today, this isn't hitting quite as hard as the Apollo fire or the Challenger but I still have that extreme nausea that comes with events like this and the feeling of absolute helplessness. There is nothing we can do but pray.

[jedwardtremlett]

Well, nothing over here in the UAE.

I'm sure there will be a few bozos dancing in Palestine, though. I'll keep an eye on our media and see what comes up.

J

[Conservababe]

I think the motorcade is to reassure folks.

[GRRRRR]

AMATEUR VIDEO on FOXNEWS: I CLEARLY saw the shuttle moving from the right to the left and saw the REAR of the shuttle!! This is the video that ends with a view of a tree on the left of the screen...the video STARTS with a ZOOM of the shuttle still in ONE PIECE, looking directly at the AFT END of the shuttle, however, it is moving from the RIGHT to the left of the screen...this means the shuttle nose was YAWED 90 degrees to starboard (right) while the PORT WING was facing the direction of travel...OMG!!

YOU ALL Keep an eye on FOX to see if you see the same thing I just did...!!!! GRRRRRR

[uncbuck]

Why do any of you take it down?

Mine has been flying since 1991. The only time it comes down, is to replace it with a new one, of which its about time (last one up since March of 2001).

May God bless all those who venture forth on our behalf.

[hole_n_one]

Dan Rather seems poised to "lose it" at any moment....

[Howlin]

The flag at the Capitol is at half mast now......

[Conservababe]

Okay, they just lowered the flag over the Capitol. I will now lower mine to half mast.