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For those who have not heard yet, at about 9:00am eastern time, NASA lost communications with its space shuttle Columbia, as it was planning to land in Florida this morning.
It is now 10:45am, almost 90 minutes after the shuttle was supposed to land, and all news stations are dominated by video of the shuttle apparently exploding and breaking into pieces over central Texas. There is virtually no doubt that this is the case. Terrorism has been ruled out, because at the time of the communication loss, the shuttle was flying at 207,000 feet above Texas, flying at 6 times the speed of sound (120,000 miles per hour). Not even the best ground-to-air missile could reach more than 60,000 feet.
The families of the 7 astronauts aboard were waiting at the landing strip at Cape Canaveral, awaiting the arrival of their loved ones. They have been transported to a separate location. I ask that prayers be offered to the families of the victims. President Bush is returning to the White House from Camp David.
The crew included 6 Americans and the first Isreali astronaut in history. I wonder if there is any reaction as of yet from the Isreali government. Steve, Gil, could one of you perhaps let us know what the government over there has to say so far?
That's all I know for now, and I've probably left some stuff out, although these are the most important details right now. I'll try to keep everyone updated.
-Tom
"Whatever is sought for can be caught, you know,
whatever is neglected slips away."
Oedipus Rex, lines 126-127
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CNN correspondents in Israel have said that Israel Air Force Col. Ramon's mission in space was seen as "a bit of good news in a lot of bad news", since the economy hasn't been that good and, of course, the recent violence in the Mideast. They mentioned that this mission had been covered more by news stations than even the recent government elections...
CNN also reports that Isreal has sent a team to Florida to be with Ramon's wife and four children.
-Tom
"Whatever is sought for can be caught, you know,
whatever is neglected slips away."
Oedipus Rex, lines 126-127
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13796
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The number of missions flown in at best precarious technology versus the number of accidents, with the remarkably low fatality rate, show that it is a very safe form of exploration.
Having said that it takes immense courage to trust the various space vehicles, all of which fly like bricks, and some of which, Gemini, Apollo, and others, tended to plummet rather than to fly at all.
I wonder if the economy, politics and budget cuts have anything to do with this accident? But perhaps that woudl be overly cynical. Mind you I do work for a US corporation that cuts budget and staff in years that are showing record profitability.
If it can be said without detracting from the obvious courage shown by anyone who gets into one of these vehicles and leaves the groud, I wonder why the first reaction reported was "It can't have been a terrorist". It is as though paranoia wants a person to blame. It wasn;t any of the sad old men trying to kill each other in the Middle East. Whatever caused it will have been an accident.
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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smith
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On fire! |
Registered: January 1970
Messages: 1095
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God is holding the members of the Columbia in the hollow of his hand. It was their job and they did it bravely and well.
smith
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marc
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Needs to get a life! |
Registered: March 2003
Messages: 4729
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Every machine has an inevetable life expectancy.
Saturday, they discovered the expected range of the shuttles.
I thought there was some sort of reinforced cockpit installed after the Chalenger disaster. Wasn't it intended to protect the crew in case of another explosion?
I was just wondering.......
Marc
Life is great for me... Most of the time... But then I meet people online... Very few are real friends... Many say they are but know nothing of what it means... Some say they are, but are so shallow...
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Guest
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On fire! |
Registered: March 2012
Messages: 2344
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I pray not for the families as thousands of people die daily and receive no credit because they aren't considered "great". Instead I pray that this will not halt the space program in any way, shape or form. It is a tragedy that some great minds have been lost, though, but 7 lives is nothing compared to the thousands that die slowly of starvation, disease and other such appaling conditions that we as western countries continue to let run rampant with barely a thought of trying to assist. Those thousands of people dying also have potential, who knows how many people with the academic ability to rival some of historys greatest minds have died and never been able to fulfill their potential just because we are too selfish to help?
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marc
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Needs to get a life! |
Registered: March 2003
Messages: 4729
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Getting home from a journey is a gamble at best.
Life is great for me... Most of the time... But then I meet people online... Very few are real friends... Many say they are but know nothing of what it means... Some say they are, but are so shallow...
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Space Shuttle Columbia disaster 
