Space Shuttle Blew Up

jerseydevil · 02-01-2003, 11:25 AM

The Space Shuttle blew up on reentery.

Quote:

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. Feb. 1 —

Space shuttle Columbia apparently disintegrated in flames over Texas on Saturday minutes before it was to land in Florida. TV video showed what appeared to be falling debris, as NASA declared an emergency and warned residents to beware of falling objects.

Six Americans and Israel's first astronaut were on board.

In north Texas, people reported hearing "a big bang" at about 9 a.m., the same time all radio and data communication with the shuttle was lost.

Television stations showed what appeared to be flaming debris falling through the sky, and NASA warned Texas residents to beware of any falling objects. NASA also announced that search and rescue teams were being mobilized in the Dallas and Fort Worth areas.

Inside Mission Control, flight controllers hovered in front of their computers, staring at the screens. The wives, husbands and children of the astronauts who had been waiting at the landing strip were gathered together by NASA and taken to secluded place.

"A contingency for the space shuttle has been declared," Mission Control repeated over and over as no word or any data came from Columbia.

In 42 years of U.S. human space flight, there had never been an accident during the descent to Earth or landing. On Jan. 28, 1986, space shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after liftoff.

On Jan. 16, shortly after Columbia lifted off, a piece of insulating foam on its external fuel tank came off and was believed to have struck the left wing of the shuttle. Leroy Cain, the lead flight director in Mission Control, assured reporters Friday that engineers had concluded that any damage to the wing was considered minor and posed no safety hazard.

Columbia had been aiming for a landing at 9:16 a.m. Saturday.

It was at an altitude of 207,000 feet over north-central Texas at a 9 a.m., traveling at 12,500 mph when Mission Control lost contact and tracking data.

Gary Hunziker in Plano said he saw the shuttle flying overhead. "I could see two bright objects flying off each side of it," he told The Associated Press. "I just assumed they were chase jets."

"I was getting ready to go out and I heard a big bang and the windows shook in the house," Ferolito told The AP. "I thought it was a sonic boom."

Security had been tight for the 16-day scientific research mission because of the presence of Ilan Ramon, the first Israeli astronaut.

Ramon, a colonel in Israel's air force and former fighter pilot, became the first man from his country to fly in space, and his presence resulted in an increase in security, not only for Columbia's launch, but also for its planned landing. Space agency officials feared his presence might make the shuttle more of a terrorist target.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's office said it had no immediate comment.

Columbia's crew had completed 80-plus scientific research experiments during their time in orbit.

Just in the last week, NASA observed the anniversary of its only two other space tragedies, the Challenger explosion, which killed all seven astronauts on board, and Apollo space craft fire that killed three on Jan. 27, 1967.

Elvellon · 02-01-2003, 11:44 AM

Today is a sad day.

Coney · 02-01-2003, 11:54 AM

Poor folks

Elenka · 02-01-2003, 12:05 PM

*sigh* Too, too bad.....Poor people. *feels deflated*

***Earniel*** · 02-01-2003, 12:06 PM

I just heard. I didn't believe it at first.

A sad day indeed.

Elven Archer · 02-01-2003, 12:10 PM

I heard about it this morning. It's so terrible. They've already put the flag at half staff. seven people

eowyngirl14 · 02-01-2003, 12:20 PM

I just read about that... very very sad. Those poor people. I can't even imagine what it must be ike for their families and friends.

sun-star · 02-01-2003, 12:22 PM

I'm so sorry to hear about this

Wayfarer · 02-01-2003, 12:41 PM

If only the idiot pen pushers at nasa hadn't cut the budget on research for a new space vehicle, those fine people might be alive. There is no conceivable justification for sending human beings into danger with decades old equipment.

***Earniel*** · 02-01-2003, 12:51 PM

That's unfortunately true. The Columbia was despite her make over too old. But to maintain the crew at the spacestation, regular spacetransport is required.

jerseydevil · 02-01-2003, 01:02 PM

They did just approve the new design for the space shuttle. I'm hoping this wil cause them to work harder on getting this new design built.

My friend said to remind him never to fly in a space shuttle whose name starts with the letter "C".

My chances of ever going up into space are shot now. They were pretty much nil after Challenger - now I think they're in the negative numbers.

But in the early exploration of the seas - when ocen crossing sailing ships first started venturing out - there were many that never returned. This is the point we are in manned space exploration. Hopefully I'll be around during spaces equivalent of the cruise line industry's heyday.

I can't imagine what the families are going through. I hate when joyous occassions - turn to disaster. The mood swing is so dramatic - it's hard to comprehend.

WallRocker · 02-01-2003, 01:02 PM

Just a couple of days after the Challenger anniversery. Very, very sad

Coney · 02-01-2003, 01:26 PM

Good grief! That space shuttle was over 20 yrs old

I wouldn't get on a bus that old........never mind a spaceship.

jerseydevil · 02-01-2003, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Coney
Good grief! That space shuttle was over 20 yrs old

I wouldn't get on a bus that old........never mind a spaceship.

As was just pointed out though - there are planes that people fly EVERYDAY which are 40 years old and no plane gets an inspection like the one the Space Shuttle gets between flights.

The technology is old - no question about it. Home computers today are more powerful than the computers on the shuttle.

This is on the official Nasa site -

Quote:

http://www.nasa.gov
NASA STATEMENT ON LOSS OF COMMUNICATIONS WITH COLUMBIA

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.

News media covering the Space Shuttle should stay tuned to NASA Television, which is broadcast on AMC-2, transponder 9C, C-Band, located at 85 degrees West longitude. The frequency is 3880.0 MHz. Polarization is vertical and audio is monaural at 6.8 MHz. Reporters can also go to any NASA center newsroom to monitor the situation.

New information, including the times and locations of press briefings, will be posted to this page.

markedel · 02-01-2003, 02:04 PM

It's a sad day.

Shocking stuff to wake up to.

Celebréiel · 02-01-2003, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by markedel
It's a sad day. Shocking stuff to wake up to.

yeah really. I wake up and its all over the news and my roomates are all talking about it

not a good morning.
~Celebréiel

Shadowfax · 02-01-2003, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wayfarer
If only the idiot pen pushers at nasa hadn't cut the budget on research for a new space vehicle, those fine people might be alive. There is no conceivable justification for sending human beings into danger with decades old equipment.

If they hadn't gone up in the first place they might still be alive too. No I am not insensitive; I think this is very sad nonetheless.

Coney · 02-01-2003, 02:22 PM

Looks like some of the causes of the explosion are starting to trickle in...From the Jerusalem post-

Quote:

Columbia was16 minutes away from its scheduled landing when all communication contact was lost. Channel 10 TV says that Columbia entered the atmosphere at a speed six times higher than is permitted.

More-

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satelli...=1044093779711

Insidious Rex · 02-01-2003, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shadowfax
If they hadn't gone up in the first place they might still be alive too.

Shadowfax are you saying they shouldnt have gone into space?

BeardofPants · 02-01-2003, 02:35 PM

Those poor people.

02-01-2003, 11:44 AM	#2
Elvellon Elf Lord Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Lindon Posts: 637	Today is a sad day. __________________ **************************************** "None are more hoplessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Reality is just an illusion, albeit a very persistent one - Albert Einstein The Caffeine Mantra It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion. It is by the juice of Brazil that the thoughts aquire speed, The hands aquire shaking, the shaking becomes a warning. It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion... Elvellon Erelion

02-01-2003, 11:54 AM	#3
Coney The Buddy Rabbit Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Trapped in the headlights.. Posts: 3,372	Poor folks __________________ Blessed are the cracked, they let the light in Beatallica

02-01-2003, 12:05 PM	#4
Elenka The Negative Soul of Entmoot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: The Middle Distance Posts: 651	sigh Too, too bad.....Poor people. feels deflated __________________ W00T for the M00T!! War doesn't determine who is right - war determines who is left.

02-01-2003, 12:06 PM	#5
*Earniel* The Chocoholic Sea Elf Administrator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: N?n in Eilph (Belgium) Posts: 14,363	I just heard. I didn't believe it at first. A sad day indeed. __________________ We are not things.

02-01-2003, 12:10 PM	#6
Elven Archer Elven Warrior Join Date: May 2002 Location: America! Posts: 480	I heard about it this morning. It's so terrible. They've already put the flag at half staff. seven people __________________ "In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: 'it goes on'." ~robert frost Last edited by Elven Archer : 02-01-2003 at 12:12 PM.

02-01-2003, 12:20 PM	#7
eowyngirl14 i don't know what i am talking about either, so don't ask Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 1,353	I just read about that... very very sad. Those poor people. I can't even imagine what it must be ike for their families and friends. __________________ 'The coming of dawn is ever the hope to the heart of men' -Aragorn 'Then I will die as one of them' -Aragorn TTT movie “They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little safety deserve neither liberty nor safety” - Benjamin Franklin arms are made for hugging avatar from the avatar shop! made by Eowyn, Lady of Rohan

02-01-2003, 12:22 PM	#8
sun-star Lady of Letters Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Either Oxford or Kent, England Posts: 2,476	I'm so sorry to hear about this __________________ And all the time the waves, the waves, the waves Chase, intersect and flatten on the sand As they have done for centuries, as they will For centuries to come, when not a soul Is left to picnic on the blazing rocks, When England is not England, when mankind Has blown himself to pieces. Still the sea, Consolingly disastrous, will return While the strange starfish, hugely magnified, Waits in the jewelled basin of a pool.

02-01-2003, 12:41 PM	#9
Wayfarer The Insufferable Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 3,333	If only the idiot pen pushers at nasa hadn't cut the budget on research for a new space vehicle, those fine people might be alive. There is no conceivable justification for sending human beings into danger with decades old equipment. __________________ Disgraced he may be, yet is not dethroned, and keeps the rags of lordship once he owned

02-01-2003, 12:51 PM	#10
*Earniel* The Chocoholic Sea Elf Administrator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: N?n in Eilph (Belgium) Posts: 14,363	That's unfortunately true. The Columbia was despite her make over too old. But to maintain the crew at the spacestation, regular spacetransport is required. __________________ We are not things.

02-01-2003, 01:02 PM	#11
jerseydevil I am Freddie/UNDERCOVER/ Founder of The Great Continent of Entmoot Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Plainsboro, NJ Posts: 9,431	They did just approve the new design for the space shuttle. I'm hoping this wil cause them to work harder on getting this new design built. My friend said to remind him never to fly in a space shuttle whose name starts with the letter "C". My chances of ever going up into space are shot now. They were pretty much nil after Challenger - now I think they're in the negative numbers. But in the early exploration of the seas - when ocen crossing sailing ships first started venturing out - there were many that never returned. This is the point we are in manned space exploration. Hopefully I'll be around during spaces equivalent of the cruise line industry's heyday. I can't imagine what the families are going through. I hate when joyous occassions - turn to disaster. The mood swing is so dramatic - it's hard to comprehend. __________________ Come back! Come back! To Mordor we will take you! "The only thing better than a great plan is implementing a great plan" - JerseyDevil "If everyone agreed with me all the time, everything would be just fine"- JerseyDevil AboutNewJersey.com New Jersey MessageBoard Another Tolkien Forum Memorial to the Twin Towers New Jersey Map Fellowship of the Messageboard Legend of the Jersey Devil Support New Jersey's Liberty Tower Peacefire.org AboutNewJersey.com - New Jersey Travel and Tourism Guide

02-01-2003, 01:02 PM	#12
WallRocker Elven Warrior Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: At the computer... Posts: 376	Just a couple of days after the Challenger anniversery. Very, very sad __________________ Do one thing every day that scares you ~Anonymous~ <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><<>< <>< <>< <>< I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America And to the Republic for which it stands One nation UNDER GOD with liberty and justice for all

02-01-2003, 01:26 PM	#13
Coney The Buddy Rabbit Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Trapped in the headlights.. Posts: 3,372	Good grief! That space shuttle was over 20 yrs old I wouldn't get on a bus that old........never mind a spaceship. __________________ Blessed are the cracked, they let the light in Beatallica

02-01-2003, 02:04 PM	#15
markedel 'Sober' Mullet Frosh Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Queen's Posts: 1,245	It's a sad day. Shocking stuff to wake up to. __________________ "Earnur was a man like his father in valour, but not in wisdom"

02-01-2003, 02:35 PM	#20
BeardofPants the Shrike Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Francisco, CA <3 Posts: 10,647	Those poor people. __________________ "Binary solo! 0000001! 00000011! 0000001! 00000011!" ~ The Humans are Dead, Flight of the Conchords

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