Columbia Discussion thread

Feb 1, 2003

[Admin Moderator]

'

On behalf of posters on Free Republic, I post this with deepest sympathy for the crew and their families.

Mission - sts107

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This is a continuation of the original thread.

Shuttle Contact LOST-No Tracking Data During RE-Entry!

ANY DU LINKS OR POSTS WILL BE REMOVED IMMEDIATELY. Keep them on the original thread.

[PhiKapMom]

Question? Does ground control send the data to the onboard computer to control the shuttle as it approaches the atmosphere? Noted on the last transmission that the Shuttle was coming in so good that it didn't need to trim.

[rintense]

I just thought it was odd that FNC pointed this out with her...

[Ima Lurker]

Sadly, I've been thinking the very same thing. I am shocked that she was still allowed to fly, after her "mistake" on her previous flight. One thing is for sure though, we will never know what really happened.

[bonesmccoy]

Something happened to the TPS or to the structural stability.

I doubt it's the rockets onboard. It's something else.

[Dr. Zoo]

I will, but I don't know if I will be able to get to it very soon.

[rintense]

Agreed. They have to look at every single possibility. And that means going down some roads that may look tin foilish.

[Redleg Duke]

For Heaven's Sakes! A shuttle re-entering is going to generate one hell of a heat spike.

I remember the Challenger disaster, looking at the video, betting that the Libiyans were behind it. In reality, Space is the Final Frontier and it will be dangerous to conquer. Folks are going to try, and folks are going to die. I just hope that if as a species we die, we die trying!

[mombonn]

Did anyone else hear about the Indian woman's goof up on her last flight?

Yes, but that still doesn't give the right to call her a bonehead.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Jesus... I'm glad I turned off CNN when the kids woke up...

[Ichneumon]

That's a tile piece from the underside of the wing.

I agree it's probably a tile, but there's no way you can tell if it's "from the underside of the wing" -- such tiles are used on the nose, under the fuselage, and other places as well.

[McGruff]

Latest updates from Spaceflight Now

1725 GMT (12:25 p.m. EST)

A weather radar shows the debris swath as the shuttle broke apart. Click here

1715 GMT (12:15 p.m. EST)

Debris is scattered across a wide area of Texas. NASA is asking that any persons finding debris should stay clear given the hazardous nature of the materials and alert local authorities.

1710 GMT (12:10 p.m. EST)

Here is the NASA statement:

A Space Shuttle contingency has been declared in Mission Control, Houston, as a result of the loss of communication with the Space Shuttle Columbia at approximately 9 a.m. EST Saturday as it descended toward a landing at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla. It was scheduled to touchdown at 9:16 a.m. EST.

Communication and tracking of the shuttle was lost at 9 a.m. EST at an altitude of about 203,000 feet in the area above north central Texas. At the time communications were lost. The shuttle was traveling approximately 12,500 miles per hour (Mach 18). No communication and tracking information were received in Mission Control after that time.

Search and rescue teams in the Dallas-Fort Worth and in portions of East Texas have been alerted. Any debris that is located in the area that may be related to the Space Shuttle contingency should be avoided and may be hazardous as a result of toxic propellants used aboard the shuttle. The location of any possible debris should immediately be reported to local authorities.

Flight controllers in Mission Control have secured all information, notes and data pertinent to today's entry and landing by Space Shuttle Columbia and continue to methodically proceed through contingency plans.

More information will be released as it becomes available.

1700 GMT (12:00 p.m. EST)

The NASA news conference by Administrator Sean O'Keefe is planned for 1 p.m. EST.

[bonesmccoy]

Who was capcom?

That has to be one of the loneliest jobs at NASA.

Tragic.

[cyncooper]

Thanks for the ping, Howlin. I heard the terrible news this morning before heading out to teach my catechism class. We did pray for the astronauts, their families and our country during opening prayers before proceeding with class.

I want to read more of what all are saying. It's really something to read our Texas freepers' eyewitness reports.

[Karsus]

What was this damn 'mistake' you two keep talking about? Perhaps if you provided some info about it people would believe you.

[Howlin]

Thanks for those, mk. They are very interesting. Obviously the world is thinking of us today.

[Duramaximus]

This is truly a terrible day for America. My prayers go out to the families of the crew.

This may have been posted earlier, it is a NOAA weather radar image of the debris field:

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/radar/latest/DS.p19r0/si.kshv.shtml

I work for Boeing, in particular the division building the Space Shuttle Main Engines. I know the Boeing family is doing their best to find answers.

God Bless America, and especially the souls of the Columbia crew.

[Lurking2Long]

Weight.

[Mamzelle]

They don't have much to report, yet the country is riveted to the TV. Wait until the history of Columbia unfolds, and you'll enjoy the cavalcade of bumbling and they muddle through their missions...

[rintense]

Well all, I am headed out for a bit. I wanted to say thank you to all the freepers who have posted some great information about the shuttle. I know that I can always count of freepers for great info- and a continued learning experience!

FreeRepublic rules once again!

[justshe]

IMO, your post is totally inappropriate to this thread.