Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Massachusettes U.S.A
Posts: 193

Actually there was a piece of insulation that came off during takeoff on the 16th of January that hit the left wing.

The scientists thought that the damage would not be a problem on reentry.

The initial theory is that this damaged area failed at the point when the stresses and hull temperatures were at their highest.
during rentry.

The debris cloud is hundreds of miles long. debris is being found in Texas and Louisana. The public has been warned that debris should not be touched due to possible radioactivity.

sadly the reality of space flight of anykind is that it dangerous. Those 7 astronauts and all those who came and died before them are pioneers visiting the new "frontier"

they are heros and their deaths will surely lead to new developments and safty procedures so that future crews will benefit from their sacrifice.

The US and the world will mourn the loss - BUT the work in space will continue and we shall prevail.

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Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Massachusettes U.S.A
Posts: 193

Actually there was a piece of insulation that came off during takeoff on the 16th of January that hit the left wing.

The scientists thought that the damage would not be a problem on reentry.

The initial theory is that this damaged area failed at the point when the stresses and hull temperatures were at their highest.
during rentry.

The debris cloud is hundreds of miles long. debris is being found in Texas and Louisana. The public has been warned that debris should not be touched due to possible radioactivity.

sadly the reality of space flight of anykind is that it dangerous. Those 7 astronauts and all those who came and died before them are pioneers visiting the new "frontier"

they are heros and their deaths will surely lead to new developments and safty procedures so that future crews will benefit from their sacrifice.

The US and the world will mourn the loss - BUT the work in space will continue and we shall prevail.

__________________
Soldiers, sailors, and airmen....You are about to embark on the great crusade.Your job will not be easy...the fight is just.....freedom will prevail!!!



U.S.A
LIVE FREE OR DIE

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Registered: Nov 2001
Location: Command deck of EAS Janus
Posts: 1755

Heard of this on News, sad thing. Peace to their souls

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Last edited by Lady Rose on 02-02-2003 at 03:05 PM

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Registered: Dec 2002
Location: Bristol, UK
Posts: 51

I hope that this won't put a stop to the manned space program. It would be unforgivable for anything to put a hold on it. It is perhaps the single most important thing than Mankind has ever done.

If they asked me, I'd go up

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Registered: Dec 2002
Location: Bristol, UK
Posts: 51

I hope that this won't put a stop to the manned space program. It would be unforgivable for anything to put a hold on it. It is perhaps the single most important thing than Mankind has ever done.

If they asked me, I'd go up

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Registered: Oct 2001
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 175

it sux

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Registered: Dec 2001
Location: GTD Haydon
Posts: 357

The space shuttles will definitely be grounded until they find out what caused it and fix it; but that doesn't mean that they're never flying again and even if they don't, something else will replace them. The most popular theory right now seems to be that the problem had something to do with the heat shield.

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Registered: Dec 2001
Location: GTD Haydon
Posts: 357

The space shuttles will definitely be grounded until they find out what caused it and fix it; but that doesn't mean that they're never flying again and even if they don't, something else will replace them. The most popular theory right now seems to be that the problem had something to do with the heat shield.

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Registered: Mar 2001
Location: NS, Canada
Posts: 95

from what i heard it appeared something broke off on liftoff, i believe they said some insulation, and it struck a wing, which could have damaged the heat shields, so i'd believe that's what happened.
they can't ground all shuttles for too long tho, in a few months they need to send someone up to the ISP again to relieve the crew.
apparently they've found a body too, last i saw on CNN.

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Registered: Mar 2001
Location: NS, Canada
Posts: 95

from what i heard it appeared something broke off on liftoff, i believe they said some insulation, and it struck a wing, which could have damaged the heat shields, so i'd believe that's what happened.
they can't ground all shuttles for too long tho, in a few months they need to send someone up to the ISP again to relieve the crew.
apparently they've found a body too, last i saw on CNN.

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location: The Cold Northland!
Posts: 8392

Aparently they need a shuttle to go upto the station and give it a boost before its orbit decays so much as to burn up in the atmosphere. That puts a time on when the shuttles have to go back up.

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Registered: Apr 2001
Location:
Posts: 1901

Aparently they need a shuttle to go upto the station and give it a boost before its orbit decays so much as to burn up in the atmosphere. That puts a time on when the shuttles have to go back up.

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Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Sheffield UK
Posts: 1913

is it stupid of me to envisage an ejection capsule? a detactable cockpit area with its own limited heat shield and speed reducing method ?

if that had been the case maybe they would've stood more of a chance

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Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Sheffield UK
Posts: 1913

is it stupid of me to envisage an ejection capsule? a detactable cockpit area with its own limited heat shield and speed reducing method ?

if that had been the case maybe they would've stood more of a chance

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Registered: Dec 2001
Location: THE BEST DAMN ROGUE NATION ON EARTH!!!
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Kinda like an old fashioned Apollo Capsule? Yea, that would be nice.

Still it would have to be ejected in the proper orientation so that it's heat shield would be leading the way. If the shuttle had already departed control that would be next to impossible. Kinda like ejectin from a fighter-jet at 200 feet-inverted.

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Registered: Dec 2001
Location: THE BEST DAMN ROGUE NATION ON EARTH!!!
Posts: 735

Kinda like an old fashioned Apollo Capsule? Yea, that would be nice.

Still it would have to be ejected in the proper orientation so that it's heat shield would be leading the way. If the shuttle had already departed control that would be next to impossible. Kinda like ejectin from a fighter-jet at 200 feet-inverted.

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location: The Cold Northland!
Posts: 8392

Seems like it probably happened right away...they had little or no time to react so bailing out probably wouldn't have been an option.

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Registered: Apr 2001
Location:
Posts: 1901

Seems like it probably happened right away...they had little or no time to react so bailing out probably wouldn't have been an option.

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Registered: Feb 2001
Location: South Australia,Australia,Sol
Posts: 1185

The russians are going to launch a unmanned rocket to the space station to drop off supplies and give the station its needed boost.

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Registered: Oct 2002
Location: GSV Ethics Gradient
Posts: 267

The manned exploration of space is a dengerous endeavour, participated in by men and women who understand the risks and the dangers of what they do.

As the mariners of the age of discovery knew, when you step into the unknown there is no guarentee of return.

These seven brave souls who have given their lives for the future of the species, irrespective of their nations of birth and beliefs, whether from ally or foe, are deserving of all the admiration and praise that we can muster.

May their souls be held forever in the hands of their Gods and their memory light the way to the stars.

We will return.

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