Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

A rescue of the crew was unlikely
Washington Times ^ | 2/03/03 | Marcia Dunn, AP

Posted on 02/02/2003 11:38:27 PM PST by kattracks

Edited on 07/12/2004 4:00:40 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.

(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-85 next last
To: Bobby777
I don't remember that (I helped launch it). But if true, what could anyone have done about it. We only had one finished orbiter.
21 posted on 02/03/2003 12:03:26 AM PST by John Jamieson
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Fitzcarraldo
How do mate a Progess with an orbiter?
22 posted on 02/03/2003 12:04:59 AM PST by John Jamieson
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: Bobby777
Google it.
23 posted on 02/03/2003 12:05:57 AM PST by John Jamieson
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: HiTech RedNeck
•NASA did not consider a spacewalk by the crew to inspect the left wing. The astronauts are not trained nor equipped to repair tile damage anywhere on the shuttle, Mr. Dittemore said.

it would seem easy ... it could be manuevered by tiny jet thrusters using tiny bursts of air or some other inert gas like helium ... a "lifeline" tether could be used but simple remote controls might be possible it seems ...
24 posted on 02/03/2003 12:09:09 AM PST by Bobby777
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: John Jamieson
How do mate a Progess with an orbiter?

You don't. You maneuver it in towards the shuttle nose-first and clamp the shuttle cargo bay doors on part of it, then secure it with whatever means available. It would probably have to be modified to allow access by astronauts. I assume a working airlock was on Columbia.

25 posted on 02/03/2003 12:09:28 AM PST by Fitzcarraldo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Bobby777
Are you in the Space bis Bobby or a proffesional critic or what?

Why are the experts always stupid?
26 posted on 02/03/2003 12:11:06 AM PST by John Jamieson
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: John Jamieson
it sounded like you knew the orbits is why I asked ...
27 posted on 02/03/2003 12:11:49 AM PST by Bobby777
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: Bobby777
In order for bodies such as satellites, the space station, or the shuttle to remain in orbit and not fall into the earth they have to move at some pretty high speeds (angular velocity) around the planet. In effect, the force of gravity has to equal the centrifugal force resultant from the angular velocity of the body. That velocity is about mach 20 for the shuttle, less for lighter objects or for those farther from the planet, and more for heavier ones or those closer to the planet.

Now, the space station and the shuttle were not travelling in orbits which were at identical angles to the equator. That means that, in order to bring them in line with each other, another set of forces must be overcome.. Try this with the front wheel of a bicycle: Remove the wheel. Hold it at it's axis with both hands. Have someone spin it. Now try to change the angle of the axis (move one end but not the other). You'll get enormous forces resisting you.

Once you're in orbit it's very expensive to change that orbit, especially your angle with the equator..
28 posted on 02/03/2003 12:11:51 AM PST by a_Turk (You'll "liberate" them, and we'll "help" you..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Fitzcarraldo
Yeah a Leatherman ought to do it.
29 posted on 02/03/2003 12:12:21 AM PST by John Jamieson
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: a_Turk
almost right, weight has nothing to do with it.
30 posted on 02/03/2003 12:13:35 AM PST by John Jamieson
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: John Jamieson
Of course there is the problem of getting the Progress into the lower inclination orbit.
31 posted on 02/03/2003 12:14:40 AM PST by Fitzcarraldo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: John Jamieson
did I touch a nerve? ... these seem like pretty obvious questions ... when the Challenger blew there had already been severe problems with O-rings nearly burning through ... at least two Thiokol engineers were screaming about the temperature when Challenger was to launch ... and in the end it was concluded they ignored their warnings ... these are valid questions to ask when people die and expensive equipment is destroyed ... and other people have to risk their lives ...
32 posted on 02/03/2003 12:15:11 AM PST by Bobby777
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: a_Turk
yes I know about that ... my question was how far apart their orbits were ... however the question about potential damage to the wing seems to have been known from the launch ...
33 posted on 02/03/2003 12:17:35 AM PST by Bobby777
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: Bobby777
Bobby, space travel is tough stuff. You can't pull over and change a tire. It's also dangerous; there are a thousand ways to die if something goes wrong.

We have some the best minds in the country running our space program. 17 people have lost their lives in almost 40 years. Everyone of those people fought a 100 others for the chance to go. I think that's an excellant record. NASCAR's is not that good.

34 posted on 02/03/2003 12:22:43 AM PST by John Jamieson
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: John Jamieson
Mass ends up on both sides of the equation does it not? The experiment at Pisa didn't include angular velocity did it? Fill me in please. My physics is a bit rusty..
35 posted on 02/03/2003 12:22:50 AM PST by a_Turk (You'll "liberate" them, and we'll "help" you..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: Bobby777
I think the difference in orbits was 10.5 degrees..
36 posted on 02/03/2003 12:25:02 AM PST by a_Turk (You'll "liberate" them, and we'll "help" you..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: kattracks; Willie Green; Slainte
Very interesting article.
It sounds to me like:
1. NASA failed to check out the damage to the wing.
2. Had the wing been inspected, a more reliable analysis of the risk of reentry could have been done.
3. If it was determined that the risk was too great to try to bring the shuttle in, there were options available, albeit none of them cozy.
A. They could have "limped" to the ISS and "floated over in their space suits".
B. The shuttle Atlantis could have been rushed into service and sent up for rescue.
C. An alternate reentry trajectory could have "relieved the heat on the ship".

Most importantly, NASA first needed to check out the wing.
37 posted on 02/03/2003 12:25:23 AM PST by Lancey Howard
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: John Jamieson
I don't deny NASA has a good record ... and does amazing things ... what seems to get lost is often what happens in a large corporation ... the basics get pushed aside for schedules, etc.

one understands the potential for catastrophic failure on liftoff ... and no human can be expected to catch everything ... hence, checklists, redundancy, etc. ... (as you obviously know) ...

the tiles are such a critical element for re-entry, potentially unsurvivable indeed in case of even relatively small losses that I'm shocked there's very little capability to even give the bird a "once-over" while in orbit ...
38 posted on 02/03/2003 12:28:59 AM PST by Bobby777
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: Lancey Howard
A not possible
B maybe
C not possible

D I would have jetasoned the SpaceHab and gone down with the ship.
39 posted on 02/03/2003 12:29:22 AM PST by John Jamieson
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: a_Turk
thanks ...
40 posted on 02/03/2003 12:29:47 AM PST by Bobby777
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-85 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson