Contact with Columbia Lost!

[Solver]

Shocking... just like Palistine celebrated after September 11th (IIRC, don't fry me if I'm wrong). Kind of expected though, but sad none the less

Yes, Palestine did celebrate on Sept. 11, and so they do now.

[Panag]

Originally posted by MrFun
EXTREMIST CELEBRATIONS OVER THIS SHOULD GO INTO THE APPROPRIATE THREAD.

there should not be a thread that glorifies that , .......

[cavebear]

When I got up this morning, I turned on the TV and watched The Food Channel for an hour, then the History Channel. I just happened to turn on my radio and heard something about a space shuttle problem. I thought it was it was a disaster-planning exercise (it's a National Public Radio talk show channel that usually discusses serious topics).

It took 10 minutes before I realized it was something real. In the 10 seconds it took to get to the Tv and change to CNN, I was already crying.

Why does it seem like the world is just falling apart at the seams? I just can't stand this any more.

[Odin]

I heard on CNN that before contact was lost there was trouble witha a tire. Here is what I think happened:

The heat sheild tile that fell off was right below the tire compartment. The exposed area got really hot during reentery and made the tire, which is filled with pressurized nitrogen, exploded. The explosion ripped a small hole in the belly of the shuttle and the heat scorched the radio equiopment and the lost contact. Then the heat started desentigrate the body of the shuttle. when the fuel tanks exploded (those flashes seen on the fireball around the spacecraft) the shuttle broke apart.

It's a sad, sad day.

[cavebear]

I agree that the political problems of the world should be kept out of this thread. I'll mention that no more. Sorry.

[Nubclear]

Horrible, horrible day.....

[mrboo123]

Sorry if I inslut but, whats withe the 1st flag?

[Panag]

Originally posted by 123john321
Sorry if I inslut but, whats withe the 1st flag?

INDIA

[Ben Kenobi]

What is this going to mean for the international space station. They can't cancel all flights like they did in the 80's. They have to keep that supplied. The russians can't do it alone.

-Dissident

In this aspect, we might see a different response than the Challenger. Perhaps increased funding for space exploration?

As for Ilan Ramon, that's horrible.

Why can't the Israelis get a break for once?

"When I was a kid growing up, nobody in Israel ever dreamed -- well most people wouldn't dream -- of being an astronaut, because it wasn't on the agenda. So I never thought I would have been an astronaut. When I was selected, I really jumped almost to space. I was very excited."

God bless all 7 who have died doing what they loved.

[Nubclear]

Originally posted by 123john321
Sorry if I inslut but, whats withe the 1st flag?

India.

[DanS]

Indian flag. One of the astronauts was Indo-American.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A10745-2003Feb1.html

[Drake Tungsten]

India

[Agathon]

It's very sad.

As a boy I followed the very first Columbia flight avidly and remember it well. It's just terrible when something like this happens, even though the laws of probability make it virtually inevitable.

However, I have a good idea of what the astronauts themselves would say. Something like this:

"We took risks; we knew we took them; things have come out against us; therefore we have no cause for complaint." Robert Falcon Scott

Space flight is one of the most dangerous things anyone can do, and we can but admire the courage of those who undertake it. They themselves aren't like ordinary people - anyone who has ever heard the Apollo 13 mission tape can testify to this - the ship looks like it is going to blow up and the astronauts sound like they are reporting a problem with the drinks machine.

All brave people, committed to the advancement of human knowledge, and knowingly risking their own lives for it. They thought it was worth it; we would do them a disservice if we thought any differently.

[mrboo123]

Ah, yes, India, sorry about that...

[Gatekeeper]

For the second time in 1 1/2 years, I was awakened from a deep sleep by the radio blaring something other than music.

The first time was Sept. 11, 2001.

The second time was today, Feb. 1, 2003.

I don't know what else to really say at the moment, as I'm still absorbing the information as it comes in. When the Challenger exploded, I was in fifth grade and it was during recess. I remember sitting in the classroom with the teacher and a few others, watching when it happened. I ran outside to tell my classmates, but they seemed to focus more on the football game they were playing. Ah, childhood.

I hope the space program continues. In fact, I want to see its funding quadrupled and, dammit, I'll pay for it with a tax increase on myself if necessary.

Gatekeeper