NASA Could have aborted the flight before it reached orbit!

NASA Website ^ | 02/03/03 | self

[Preech1]

According to NASA's own websites, the shuttle has 25 minutes to abort a launch before the shuttle enters orbit. Had NASA considered the damage to the wing to be a danger to the crew, they could possibly have saved the lives of the 7 astronauts and we would today be speaking of that dramatic event rather than mourning their deaths.

I am in no way blaming NASA for the deaths of these crew members, but instead I am trying to answer the MANY posters who have said the crew was doomed from the start.

While it is true that the crew was doomed once they attained orbit, there was a 25 minute window after launch in which the shuttle could have aborted the mission.

Here's how I see it. The main reason for the break-up appears to be structural failure due to the combined factors of a damaged wing and the heat and stress of re-entry. Had the shuttle aborted the flight at launch, there would still have been a risk with the damaged wing, but speed and re-entry heating would not have factored in. It would have been a bumpy landing to be sure, but they would have landed.

I only write this article to suggest that NASA consider this possibility in future flights. We can do nothing about the past.

May the souls of the Columbia Rest in Peace.

[cyncooper]

Wow, thanks for the link.

[chimera]

I again restate my position that I did not start this thread as a blame NASA thread, but to answer those who said it was doomed at the moment of launch.

I agree that technically it is not correct to say the thing was doomed from the moment of launch. It was doomed from the moment that reliance on possibly damaged heat dissipating tiles (assuming your explanation turns out to be correct) was necessary. And that is based on energy-velocity arguments. Once kinetic energy reached that point, you had no choice given the way the system works but to rely on those tiles.

Abandoning the orbiter is only possible at low speeds, much less than orbital velocities. After the Challenger accident, some thought was put into an escape system where bailout at low speeds was possible. But, again, once it is going really fast, even that option is foreclosed.

[cyncooper]

Just FYI, since I happen to be on this thread. Rush is doing his show today out of LA. He was supposed to have a guest host, but as he has promised in the past, if something big happens he'll do the show.

He's starting out summing up some golf experiences, but thought I'd pass it on in case some weren't going to tune in because Rush wouldn't be doing it. He's there!

Oh, he just mentioned the SOTU speech--so hopefully he'll cover several topics before resuming vacation tomorrow.

[Preech1]

I stand corrected on the 25 minute window, but maintain that aborting a flight is and always has been an option in shuttle flights. As for conspiracy theories, where have I put one forth? Take off your tinfoil blinders and reread the premise of the article, I am answering those who said that "At the moment of launch, these people were doomed." Being a former employee of NASA do you not think it important to prevent future tragedies?

[NormsRevenge]

FYI

Shuttle Reference Manual

Aborts

[MrConfettiMan]

With NASA controlling the information flow...

One more thing, Fred. Who did you expect to be controlling the information flow? :)

[NormsRevenge]

FYI

Shuttle Reference Manual

Aborts

[Fred Mertz]

Well, as you may or may not recall, I worked in the Pentagon a number of years ago. I was surprised how the bureaucratic layers were able to effectively shield the public from unwanted info/mistakes within.

I'm not talking about big earth-shattering scandals, but many mistakes and errors in judgment were effectively kept within the 5-sided puzzle palace.

[CyberAnt]

But ... during those 25 minutes, it is my understanding that many, many engineering people at NASA had viewed the piece of debris falling and determined it was not a factor.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing for PREVENTION. However, it only prevents FUTURE things.

Yes, I believe this will change how they view the abort procedure. However, there is still great danger even in using the abort procedure.

[TomServo]

Thanks for the invite...how will I recognize you there?

I will not attend. My questions/input to NASA engineers are not needed nor warranted.

[chimera]

I've often wondered about whether the world would be a quieter and calmer place if Rush never went on vacation? The sh*t always seems to hit the fan when he's on vacation. C'mon, golf boy, get in here and do the show every day so the rest of us can have some peace and quiet...:-)

(/sarcasm off)

[TLBSHOW]

They should never of lifted off to start with the whole program is flawed. These talking heads on TV right now are toast!

[TLBSHOW]

I see I was 100% correct on what happened as I told you Saturday. You are just a sock puppet.

[Carry_Okie]

You clearly remember what it took to resolve the Challenger accident. Until they brought in Richard Feynman the cover-up was airtight. There were people who should have gone to jail.

[Fred Mertz]

My colleague at work reminded me of that earlier this morning. It was like pulling teeth I believe was the phrase he used.

[bandleader]

This is something that I wondered about.I e-mailed Imus this morning to ask Jay Barbree if there was an abort procedure in place wherein they could return to earth before they reached orbit.Mr.Barbree told Imus that once the shuttle was in launch mode,they had no choice but to continue to reach orbital status.

[Redleg Duke]

"Since they didn't now about this until the next day, how would you suggest they abort within the necessary time limit?"

Easy! 20-20 hindsight! Don't you know that NASA and Republicans are expected to be able to foresee the future to avert all tragedies?

[Howlin]

I'm beginning to think we're playing Whack-A-Mole here.

[Howlin]

It's like Whack-A-Mole!

[MrConfettiMan]

I don't believe I ever knew you worked in the Pentagon, Fred. A short, fat bald guy like you? Who'd a thought they'd let the likes of you in there. :) FReepers have it in their blood to be skeptical of the media and all bureaucracies. We're just doing a little verbal jousting. I still love 'ya. ;) Even if you are wearing a tin-foil hat.

Hey, I thought the NSA was the Puzzle Palace? :)