BREAKING: NBC News finds Jan 30 NASA Memo showing serious concern about tile damage!

NBC News | February 3, 2003 | Jay Barbree

[Timesink]

Developing. Watch MSNBC for latest. Internal memo shows some engineers believe there was up to a 7 1/2-inch gash from the foam breakoff at launch. Memo was serious enough to go out to all NASA centers two days before disaster.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Thanks:), well maybe that is something they can work on. It's a very tragic thing, but I think our program must be top notch considering no more diasters then we have had.

Becky

[FReepaholic]

>>...Was Columbia not fitted with the right connections or something?...<<

Too heavy. The other orbiters were made later and lighter but they too had to undergo mods to make them lighter. Plus, the main engines, SRB's and external tank had to be modified in order to reach the orbital inclination of the ISS.

[Centurion2000]

Seeing something like this and then knowing they tried to land it anyway ..... it's tragedy but this looks almost criminal.

[anniegetyourgun]

I don't know why they didn't listen to you when you called them with this answer to everything.

[Intimidator]

Did anyone else see the FoxNews Channel report from a guy in Nevada that has video of the reentry...and there is something following the shuttle? I walked into the room at the very end of the report. There are two bright lights in a dark sky...suddenly, the one that is following looks as if it suffers an explosion and then you can see a contrail. Did anyone else see the report who can explain it to me?

There is no way possible it was shot down, there is no airplane or missile capable of flying mach 18.

[Dave S]

Isn't there still the option to abort the flight after launch before the shuttle leaves the earths atmosphere?

Yes but its my understanding that they didnt know about the strike until later.

[bvw]

Ignore the pests who bring up the "Mondy Morning Quartebracking" thing. Bad analogy.

Why? Because WE are the owners and GM's. WE MUST review what happened. It is our obligation as owners and general managers. In present cicumstance, given the risk to life, the loss of life of our employees -- it is a solemn and sacred duty.

[Mo1]

This is negligence plain and simple.

That is not fair to NASA ... I don't think they would knowingly put anyone in danger

So let's chill out a bit until more information comes out

[rs79bm]

Oh, no sorry. I was reporting an incident that happened earlier over California. I believe what you saw was the shuttle actually breaking apart. They have been showing that on the news channels repeatedly.

[Froggie]

Heard Nasa scientist/astronaut saying that there would have been NO way to do any type of rescue mission, as the Columbia was incapable of docking with the space station, and there was no way for any space walk repair or inspection. They had to know that if there was significant tile damage that there was significant peril on re-entry. Did the astronauts know this? I hope not! but suspect they did. My only question is, if they did have suspicion that there was increased risk, why didn't they plan to land in California, so that any break up would have occurred over the pacific ocean to minimize the risk of damage/injury/death to the populace by falling debris. The only answer is that those in charge didn't calculate the risk as being great - and to second guess them, without possessing their kind of knowledge and training is ridiculous.
Exploration carries risk - sometimes great risk, but we will persevere, face those risks and continue our quest for knowledge.

[TLBSHOW]

bump

[bvw]

That's Section 8, btw.

[HairOfTheDog]

True. All the pre-launch analysis would still be there if this crew had returned safely. In fact, the guy who 'wrote to the President' about all this is undoubtedly not the first guy to end-run NASA to plead for funding. It's very sad.

I have been around publicly funded agencies enough to know that if there is ever a funding cut, the argument against is always that the agency absolutely can't function with any less.

[anniegetyourgun]

It's truly amazing how many rocket scientists we have here on FR, eh?

[Eagle Eye]

NASA posted a job opening on Sunday for a Systems Safety Engineer. Any takers?

[al_c]

What other things? They passed relatively close to the ISL several times during orbit ... were they close enough to get there? And if no connectors, could they have floated (risky, but is that possible?)?

[PBRSTREETGANG]

There is no way possible it was shot down, there is no airplane or missile capable of flying mach 18.

Not from this planet anyway. < /eerie music>

[TLBSHOW]

It was not an act of God it was NASA and there was plenty of warnings for years!

[Cynderbean]

Very informative. Thank you : )

[Mo1]

YEP ..

There is nothing wrong with asking questions .. but getting ALL the facts first helps