Is the Space Shuttle OK? NASA investigating 'debris'

MegaRock · 27th July 2005, 01:16

Discovery roared into the skies over Florida Tuesday morning as NASA returned to shuttle space flight for the first time since the 2003 Columbia disaster.

Under a blue sky, the spacecraft lifted off at 10:39 a.m. ET, as scheduled.

"Liftoff of space shuttle Discovery, beginning America's new journey to the moon, Mars and beyond," said George Diller, the voice of shuttle launch control.

The launch followed days of troubleshooting to fix a faulty fuel sensor in its external tank that led to cancellation of a planned launch on July 13.

But video of what appeared to be some kind of debris falling off Discovery during launch prompted questions that NASA officials said they couldn't immediately answer.

The NASA video showed the unidentified debris falling and not appearing to hit Discovery. Falling debris that struck the craft during liftoff was blamed for the eventual destruction of Columbia as it re-entered the atmosphere in February 2003.

Since then, NASA has taken steps to minimize the amount and size of debris falling off the shuttle's exterior tank during its ascent. But the space agency has said it's impossible to eliminate falling launch debris. NASA experts said they will analyze liftoff video frame by frame in the coming days.

In a departure from previous shuttle liftoffs, 107 ground and aircraft cameras scrutinized this one to observe possible damage to Discovery from falling debris.

By Sunday, the mission management team will have enough information from the cameras to know whether Discovery is in safe enough condition to return to Earth, a NASA spokesman said before the debris video was released.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/space/0...tle/index.html

sgtfuzzbubble011 · 27th July 2005, 02:13

I guess it's a good thing that the fuel tank isn't reusable.

I'm sure they'll have it right this time.

ElChevelle · 27th July 2005, 02:53

Let's hope they went to Autozone to replace that messed up fuel gauge.
The freakin' media jumps on everything. I'm sure that the shuttle is ok, I mean as many have lifted off successfully, what are the chances of two consecutive failures especially now that they are scrutinizing everything so much?

Omega X · 27th July 2005, 21:02

Quote:

Originally posted by ElChevelle

Let's hope they went to Autozone to replace that messed up fuel gauge.
The freakin' media jumps on everything. I'm sure that the shuttle is ok, I mean as many have lifted off successfully, what are the chances of two consecutive failures especially now that they are scrutinizing everything so much?

News has been slow coming lately so they would jump on this like a rabid dog.

MegaRock · 27th July 2005, 22:24

If they want to Autozone for parts they're screwed.

On the news right now NASA said the debris is 'a serious threat' although they do not believe the shuttle was damaged in this incident. They did say, however, that the shuttle fleet may be grounded 'indefinately' if not permanently.

NASA is in serious trouble.

ElChevelle · 27th July 2005, 23:19

Good thing my 1/2 scale Millenium Falcon out back is almost fully assembled and ready for space travel.

sgtfuzzbubble011 · 28th July 2005, 01:23

I'm not going to tell you that I'm working on a full-scale Death Sta... oshit.

27th July 2005, 01:16	#1
MegaRock Forum King Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Inside my water bong Posts: 6,775	Is the Space Shuttle OK? NASA investigating 'debris' Discovery roared into the skies over Florida Tuesday morning as NASA returned to shuttle space flight for the first time since the 2003 Columbia disaster. Under a blue sky, the spacecraft lifted off at 10:39 a.m. ET, as scheduled. "Liftoff of space shuttle Discovery, beginning America's new journey to the moon, Mars and beyond," said George Diller, the voice of shuttle launch control. The launch followed days of troubleshooting to fix a faulty fuel sensor in its external tank that led to cancellation of a planned launch on July 13. But video of what appeared to be some kind of debris falling off Discovery during launch prompted questions that NASA officials said they couldn't immediately answer. The NASA video showed the unidentified debris falling and not appearing to hit Discovery. Falling debris that struck the craft during liftoff was blamed for the eventual destruction of Columbia as it re-entered the atmosphere in February 2003. Since then, NASA has taken steps to minimize the amount and size of debris falling off the shuttle's exterior tank during its ascent. But the space agency has said it's impossible to eliminate falling launch debris. NASA experts said they will analyze liftoff video frame by frame in the coming days. In a departure from previous shuttle liftoffs, 107 ground and aircraft cameras scrutinized this one to observe possible damage to Discovery from falling debris. By Sunday, the mission management team will have enough information from the cameras to know whether Discovery is in safe enough condition to return to Earth, a NASA spokesman said before the debris video was released. http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/space/0...tle/index.html 1001. FM - Megarock Radio - St. Louis Since 1998! Tune In Now! Corporate Radio Sucks! No suits, all rock!

27th July 2005, 22:24	#5
MegaRock Forum King Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Inside my water bong Posts: 6,775	If they want to Autozone for parts they're screwed. On the news right now NASA said the debris is 'a serious threat' although they do not believe the shuttle was damaged in this incident. They did say, however, that the shuttle fleet may be grounded 'indefinately' if not permanently. NASA is in serious trouble. 1001. FM - Megarock Radio - St. Louis Since 1998! Tune In Now! Corporate Radio Sucks! No suits, all rock!

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27th July 2005, 02:13	#2
sgtfuzzbubble011 Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 60,767	I guess it's a good thing that the fuel tank isn't reusable. I'm sure they'll have it right this time.

27th July 2005, 02:53	#3
ElChevelle Moderator Alumni Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: the MANCANNON! Posts: 22,431	Let's hope they went to Autozone to replace that messed up fuel gauge. The freakin' media jumps on everything. I'm sure that the shuttle is ok, I mean as many have lifted off successfully, what are the chances of two consecutive failures especially now that they are scrutinizing everything so much?

27th July 2005, 23:19	#6
ElChevelle Moderator Alumni Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: the MANCANNON! Posts: 22,431	Good thing my 1/2 scale Millenium Falcon out back is almost fully assembled and ready for space travel.

28th July 2005, 01:23	#7
sgtfuzzbubble011 Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 60,767	I'm not going to tell you that I'm working on a full-scale Death Sta... oshit.