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The Columbia space shuttle disaster
Posted on 5/11/17 at 9:07 pm
Posted on 5/11/17 at 9:07 pm
I was watching programs today on the Smithonian Channel about both space shuttle disasters. While talking about the Columbia, they said that a big piece of foam fell from the shuttle at liftoff and suspected that fatal damage occurred that would prevent a successful reentry, but the crew wasn't informed.
My question is; if you had been one of the astronauts, would you have preferred to know about the damage and have the entire mission to ponder an almost certain death, or be left in the dark?
My question is; if you had been one of the astronauts, would you have preferred to know about the damage and have the entire mission to ponder an almost certain death, or be left in the dark?
14
Posted on 5/11/17 at 9:09 pm to Revelator
Left in the dark. There was nothing that could be done. It was just hoping and praying that the foam chunk didn't do too much harm.
Posted on 5/11/17 at 9:10 pm to Revelator
Left in the dark unless you believe somehow the minds on that ship were brighter than all the ones it took to put them there.
Posted on 5/11/17 at 9:11 pm to Choupique19
quote:
Left in the dark. There was nothing that could be done. It was just hoping and praying that the foam chunk didn't do too much harm.
I was thinking that if perhaps they knew in advance, they could have possibly written letters to their love ones and sealed it some way in hopes of preserving them?
Posted on 5/11/17 at 9:13 pm to Revelator
I would have wanted to know. They should have told them after the bulk of the mission but before re-entry began. Hell at least they could write a letter or maybe even radio their loved ones.
Posted on 5/11/17 at 9:14 pm to Revelator
(no message)
This post was edited on 5/11/17 at 9:16 pm
Posted on 5/11/17 at 9:15 pm to gorillacoco
quote:
I would have wanted to know. They should have told them after the bulk of the mission but before re-entry began. Hell at least they could write a letter or maybe even radio their loved ones.
That's my way of thinking.
Posted on 5/11/17 at 9:15 pm to MottLaneKid
quote:
The horrific story is that these astronauts were alive during the free fall
That's the story I've heard as well. They speculate that some sort of escape pod could have saved them?
Posted on 5/11/17 at 9:16 pm to MottLaneKid
I can't remember what year it was. Or how old I was. But dammit I remember being in the target on Millerville with my parents watching it on the TVs on the electronics section.
Posted on 5/11/17 at 9:17 pm to Revelator
Was there absolutely no way to repair the suspected damage? Like meet up with the ISS?
Posted on 5/11/17 at 9:17 pm to Revelator
I apologize . I think I got the 1986 disaster mixed up with the 2003 disaster. My reference was to the 1986 explosion. My apologies.
Posted on 5/11/17 at 9:18 pm to beerJeep
quote:
I can't remember what year it was. Or how old I was. But dammit I remember being in the target on Millerville with my parents watching it on the TVs on the electronics section.
You must be talking about the Challenger disaster, because there was no live tv coverage of the Columbia explosion.
Posted on 5/11/17 at 9:19 pm to East Coast Band
quote:
Was there absolutely no way to repair the suspected damage? Like meet up with the ISS?
That's a valid quesrion?
Posted on 5/11/17 at 9:20 pm to Revelator
Left in the dark. I wouldn't want to worry during the coolest and last experience of my life.
Posted on 5/11/17 at 9:22 pm to Revelator
I'm Ron Burgundy?
Posted on 5/11/17 at 9:22 pm to Revelator
quote:
You must be talking about the Challenger disaster, because there was no live tv coverage of the Columbia explosion.
Nope. I'm thinking of the Columbia one. It might not have been live, but I absolutely remember watching it on TV the day it happened.
Wasn't Alive for challenger.
Posted on 5/11/17 at 9:24 pm to Revelator
For most missions, the shuttle could have simply docked with the International Space Station (ISS) and used it as a lifeboat. However, this particular shuttle mission was in a completely different orbit to the ISS – and neither had sufficient engine power to change their flightpath.
Posted on 5/11/17 at 9:30 pm to beerJeep
quote:
Nope. I'm thinking of the Columbia one. It might not have been live, but I absolutely remember watching it on TV the day it happened.
You didn't see it live, because there was no live coverage. Later after the accident, amateur video emerged showing the Columbia falling apart leaving a trail of fiery sparks. This might have been what you saw?
Posted on 5/11/17 at 9:32 pm to East Coast Band
quote:
Was there absolutely no way to repair the suspected damage? Like meet up with the ISS?
I remember someone from NASA saying that their only option would've been to rush another shuttle (Endeavor, I think) into prep for launch carrying equipment for repairs. That, of course, was never really considered because it would've likely jeopardized 7 more astronauts, and would've taken at least a few months. The Columbia crew didn't have the supplies for that timeframe.
I also don't think NASA knew the extent of the damage to Columbia. They were aware that a piece broke off during launch, but had no way of finding out what happened.
In the end, I think it was just better they didn't know. They were already in the mindset that there's a chance something could go wrong, and I'm sure they said goodbye to their families with that in mind.
Posted on 5/11/17 at 9:32 pm to Revelator
The Columbia was the only shuttle that didn't have docking capability with the ISS and they didn't have a contingency plan in place to send a 2nd shuttle or repair damages to the heat shielding.
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