Another Delay For The Space Shuttle

[Mr. Anderson]

bleh - I knew they wouldn't launch in May, but I was really hoping they'd manage it.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/space/04/28/shuttle.delay.reut/index.html

D

[Chip NoVaMac]

Man, that is a bummer. I just question the idea of trying to make space travel so totally safe. If NASA was in charge of the early days of exploration of earth bound flight, the Wright Brothers may still be trying to get off the ground at Kitty Hawk!

[mvc]

Is this America still?

When EXACTLY did your pioneering can-do spirit get eaten by bureaucrats?

The ongoing decline of NASA is a tragedy in slow-motion

The NASA of the 60's & 70's would have had no qualms about going and fixing Hubble - they need more test pilots in that organisation and fewer Bean cCounters and featherbedding Corporates.

[MongoTheGeek]

Maybe this is a good thing.

Burt Rutan is working on getting down from LEO. In a couple of years he'll have the problem licked. Others are working on it as well. There is a casino magnate who is doing an Xprize sort of thing to get to LEO and back with 8 passengers.

In a decade we might have full blown commercial space endeavors.

[broken_keyboard]

I think part of NASA should be reabsorbed back in to the USAF, and the rest shut down.

In modern wars, there is an element of space, and Govt has a duty to maintain a lead there. But as for the rest of it... leave it up to guys like Bert with (like mvc said) "can-do" spirit.

[emw]

This sucks. By the time they actually get off the ground, it will be close to 3 years since the last flight. Wasn't the promise of the shuttle originally to provide regular access to space travel? Sure, we want launches to be safe, but when we only take off every couple of years, what do we learn?

I remember watching the first launch as a kid - getting up in the middle of the night it seemed like, even though it was just early morning - and sitting in front of the TV with the whole family. It was a monumental event.

To see it come to this is depressing. I agree with the others that space flight will only truly flourish when it becomes part of the private business sector.

[Mr. Anderson]

Maybe this is a good thing.

Burt Rutan is working on getting down from LEO. In a couple of years he'll have the problem licked. Others are working on it as well. There is a casino magnate who is doing an Xprize sort of thing to get to LEO and back with 8 passengers.

In a decade we might have full blown commercial space endeavors.

And that be just the kick in the pants NASA needs....I can understand their need to be concerned about safety and that they absolutely can't have a problem with this launch once its under way.

One of my problems with this is that I was planning on going to the launch in May, now I have to wait a few more months. And July in Florida is not quite as nice as May.

D

[MacNut]

The big problem is that the technology is old and until they can come up with a new shuttle design these problems will only get worse.

[wdlove]

I have been hearing this on the radio today Mr. Anderson. Sad, but at least NASA is working on safety control issues. I had head about this problem amount ago, that plaguing fuel tank. Do you think that you be able to see the launch in person if the liftoff is July?

[Mr. Anderson]

I'm still planning on going - July is just going to be hotter....

And there's no guarantee that they'll launch when I'm down there - but I'm going to make the effort.

D

[Dont Hurt Me]

Maybe if they did something instead of generate tons of paper the Shuttle would be fixed by now, 2 years and we are still working on it??? I agree with MVC. its a bloated beauracratic political orginazation designed to create huge qtys of paper from pork barrel projects spread out into your favorite senators states. NASA needs help big time from itself. NASA isnt capable of taking us into space for the long haul in its current bloated confused and lost form. They need a decade to slap a capsule on a rocket??? please. :mad:

[Chip NoVaMac]

I wonder if there are bigger problems with the Shuttle that are not being mentioned to the public. Or is NASA so uptight about losing astronauts?

Any human endeavor to reach new worlds, will be fraught with the possibility of dying. The astronauts we have lost, the pioneers of flight we have lost, down to the seafaring explorers that we have lost - all are heros in the truest sense of the word.

What if we get a Moon base? Do we shut it down after the first disaster? Maybe I missed it, but there did not seem to be a public outcry on the loss of the Shuttle crew. There was sadness, but more so there was I think gratitude that these brave souls died doing what they loved. They died doing something that might lead to better lives for us here on earth.

[Dont Hurt Me]

Well said Chip, On a side note the new administrator of Nasa is planning on a Hubble repair mission something the Shuttle was designed for. Being the new guy they are taking another good look at everything and it looks like a few items shown themself. Its good to have a enthusiast at the helm. Makes so much difference. A Hubble repair mission would go a long ways to bolstering the space programs image and give us years more visual spectrum viewing no scope can match anywhere. I like what im seeing from Griffin. :)

[emw]

I'm still planning on going - July is just going to be hotter....

And there's no guarantee that they'll launch when I'm down there - but I'm going to make the effort.

D
Well, looks like it might still be July, but likely later in the month:

http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/space/06/15/space.shuttle.ap/index.html


Stilson said Discovery should now be the safest shuttle to ever fly, with all the other safety modifications made in the wake of the Columbia catastrophe.

...

Discovery's 12-day mission to the international space station is considered a test flight because of all the changes.

[wdlove]

I pray that Stilson is correct when she said, "this will be the safest shuttle flight ever." It will also be one of the most tense launch and landing period in a shuttle flight also.

[Mr. Anderson]

Well, looks like it might still be July, but likely later in the month:

http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/space/06/15/space.shuttle.ap/index.html


ha, I was going to post this, but didn't get around to it. I'm looking forward to getting down there and seeing it launch. July in Florida - at least we won't have to worry about frost :D

I'd just like to have a better idea when its going to be - cause I'm thinking that I'll drive down there and we'll miss the show because of some random delay. They do have a small launch window though, so if its ready, it will go in July....

D

[dejo]

ha, I was going to post this, but didn't get around to it. I'm looking forward to getting down there and seeing it launch. July in Florida - at least we won't have to worry about frost :D

No, but you will have to worry about thunderstorms! Any lightning within 10 miles and the launch will be scrubbed. I know this first-hand from STS-93 (July '99) which finally launched on its third attempt. What a chore that was driving down from Jacksonville each time. But I knew I had to keep trying or I'd miss it when it finally launched. (Was only in Jacksonville for a few months on a project).

[Mr. Anderson]

No, but you will have to worry about thunderstorms! Any lightning within 10 miles and the launch will be scrubbed. I know this first-hand from STS-93 (July '99) which finally launched on its third attempt. What a chore that was driving down from Jacksonville each time. But I knew I had to keep trying or I'd miss it when it finally launched. (Was only in Jacksonville for a few months on a project).


ah, no worries then....thunderstorms in Florida in the summer.... :p

Yep, well, they usually happen in the afternoon, so maybe we'll get a morning launch....I'll be more concerned when we actually get down there.

D

[Dont Hurt Me]

Guess we can add another delay, Looks like a shuttle's window plastic cover? has fallen off a window and may have damaged some rear tiles in front of the rudder section while sitting on the pad. I hope they will find a good replacement for this dangerous pork barrel machine that has cost us two crews and billions more then it should have.

[Chip NoVaMac]

I hope they will find a good replacement for this dangerous pork barrel machine that has cost us two crews and billions more then it should have.


While the loss of life, as I mentioned before, is always mourned - it is a fact of any exploration. We as a species, have an admirable record for space travel.

As to it being "pork barrel" - we could argue about research and use of manned flights.

[wdlove]

It sounds as though the plastic window wasn't enough to cause a delay. Just hope that it didn't cause any damage that hasn't showed up yet. Sounds as though the launch is a go for tomorrow at 3:51pm. Guess the weather would be the main reason unless anther technical problem comes along. Just want the crew to be safe.

Are you going to be there Mr. Anderson?

[ham_man]

Glad to see that the minor accident on the pad today was repaired successfully and that the Shuttle is set for launch tomorrow. Hopefully the crew will have safe and successful journey...

[Mr. Anderson]

sadly, since this is right after I got back from vacation, I can't go. I was sort of hoping they could manage a delay till the weekend, then it would be ok. So it looks like this time I'm out of luck.

I just hope everything goes well and there aren't any problems.

D

[leekohler]

That stinks. I know how much you wanted to go.

[jadam]

Yeah would have been awesome to go =( Im going to make sure I make it to the next shuttle launch though! Would be my first one too!

[iGary]

Good luck to all the astronauts. Safe trip! :)

[MacNut]

Launch at 3:51pm EDT but thunderstorms could delay or postpone liftoff.

[mac-er]

Launch has been scrubbed because of faulty fuel tank sensor.

No new date has been set.

[mac 2005]

NASA cites a problem with a fuel sensor. Delay indefinite, at this point.

Story (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8556304/)

edit: missed it by that much!

[MacNut]

Launch at 3:51pm EDT but thunderstorms could delay or postpone liftoff.No launch today. Scrubbed dues to a fuel sensor.

[MacNut]

Geez you people are quick. :p

[Dont Hurt Me]

Shuttle is showing its true colors once again, a complex monstrosity that never launches when it should. Whats new? Not this thing from the 70s thats for sure. I like this concept from tSpace :) safe,cheap and easy way to low orbit or ISS. Plus such a simple concept you could send up people every other week, not every other year. We can do better and do it safer and at less cost.

[mactastic]

No alternate launch dates suggested yet either... I think I read that they could launch tomorrow still, otherwise it would have to wait till next week?

[MacNut]

No alternate launch dates suggested yet either... I think I read that they could launch tomorrow still, otherwise it would have to wait till next week?The guy on NBC said that they have a 10 minute window everyday to meet up with the ISS, they can launch tomorrow or Saturday or next week up until the end of July, then they would have to wait till September.

[Lyle]

You know, with all of the problems they've run into over the last few days leading up to this, I had a weird feeling about their attempting a launch today. I'm glad it's been postponed, at least until tomorrow.

[wdlove]

It's very sad new, but safety come first. It's better to be safe than sorry. This has happened all through the space program with delays due to a technical glitch. As usual it is very frustrating.

[emw]

Crap. I thought for sure this time it would get off. As much as I am a fan of the space program for the most part, the Shuttle has really been bungled to the point of humiliation.

[Mr. Anderson]

Well, now it looks like Saturday....

Which is good for me, so I might be able to drive down there on Friday, see the launch and drive home :D

I hope I don't go down there and have it delayed again...

D

[emw]

Nothing like a good 14 hour drive on a Friday night. Bring the No-Doze!

[Dont Hurt Me]

Well, now it looks like Saturday....

Which is good for me, so I might be able to drive down there on Friday, see the launch and drive home :D

I hope I don't go down there and have it delayed again...

D
Anyone who would drive across country expecting to see the shuttle take off on time has to be a optomist :D Though i wish you could see a flight the shuttle has so many things that can go wrong and does i would hate to see you drive across country for another delay. I cant help myself but i mmm -must say it again. Shuttle is a Pork Barrel Pig costing us the Tax payer a lot more then it was promised.

[mactastic]

I wouldn't get your hopes up just yet...
"If we were to get extremely lucky ... we could launch on Sunday," deputy shuttle program manager Wayne Hale said. "This represents a really optimistic, good-luck scenario which is not likely credible."

[Dont Hurt Me]

Just amazing that Nasa has let this pig suck up all its funds and has no easy way to low earth orbit, I guess why doit for millions when you can do it for billions?. This is our Government showing its beuracratic colors. After years of watching this thing its status quo for shuttle luanches. Lets just hope the pig doesnt blow up and kill its 3rd crew.

[MacNut]

You can't really blame the Challenger accident on the shuttle, that was more of a human error that they didn't check the O rings and the fact that they lifted off when it was too cold.

[garybUK]

Hasn't it been said that they are scrapping the shuttle program in the next 4 - 5 years? what's going to happen then? start again... they can't possibly completely scrap the shuttles I mean China and India are starting to get their programs online....

I hope they are not stopping any launches in the future under NASA ??

[Dont Hurt Me]

And yet another delay. the complex and very costly shuttle is again telling Nasa this baby is ready for retirement. We should let private companies get us to space and not rely on Congress to do it for 1,000 times the cost. This is the big problem. We need a reliable way to space. At the moment we have nothing but a low orbit special interest pork barel pig that has killed. We were going low orbit in the 60s.......and the moon..... now the year 2005 and we cant even do that.

[mactastic]

Looks like things went well this morning... It was really good to see the shuttle flying again.

[emw]

Woohoo!!

Link (http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/050726_sts114_launchsuccess.html)

Wonder if Mr. A made it down there or not?

[wdlove]

I was wondering the same thing about Mr. Anderson myself this morning. Saw the crowd and wondered if he might be one of them.

I watched the launch Discovery live this morning live via ABC. An anxious and tense time. We are now finally back in space. The new cameras aboard the shuttle gave an awesome view, such as seeing the separation of the external tank. God speed Discovery.

[cooknwitha]

That was very cool. I watched the launch over the net!! NASA had a stream going. Now that impressed me! I love technology. :D

[MacNut]

I love the external tank cam, watching the tank separate for the first time was a cool sight.

[xsedrinam]

Have there been any updates released as to the fallen object(s) which were filmed falling during launch? Last report I saw this afternoon, they were speculating about a tile falling off and/or hitting a bird....I had the volumn off, so please don't tell me I was watching another launch from another time in the past :confused:
X

[garybUK]

Have there been any updates released as to the fallen object(s) which were filmed falling during launch? Last report I saw this afternoon, they were speculating about a tile falling off and/or hitting a bird....I had the volumn off, so please don't tell me I was watching another launch from another time in the past :confused:
X

Something did fall off during the seperation it was on Channel 4 news last night... oh dear! doesn't seem to be going too well, they can't fix the fuel sensor, a window cover fell off now this ... lets hope they get back ok.

[Lacero]

NASA's name is jinxed. After Challenger, NASA stood for Need Another Seven Astronauts. I saw it live as a kid. Made me NOT want to become an astronaut.

[MacNut]

Have there been any updates released as to the fallen object(s) which were filmed falling during launch? Last report I saw this afternoon, they were speculating about a tile falling off and/or hitting a bird....I had the volumn off, so please don't tell me I was watching another launch from another time in the past :confused:
XSPACE CENTER, Houston (July 27) - NASA said Wednesday that a chipped thermal tile on space shuttle Discovery's belly does not appear to be a serious problem, based on what engineers have seen so far.

In orbit, meanwhile, Discovery's astronauts slowly and delicately inspected the wings and nose for launch damage, using a 100-foot movable arm with lasers and a camera mounted on its tip.

NASA lead flight director Paul Hill said experts were still receiving and analyzing the data from the inspection, but during his own cursory look at the 3-D footage beamed down to Earth as the lasers panned across the spaceship's surface, ''I didn't see anything that stood out.''

[taeclee99]

Due to another piece of foam falling off after liftoff, Nasa has decided to ground the rest of the fleet until the problem can be fixed.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050727/ts_afp/usspaceshuttledebris_050727223131

[wdlove]

This news is certainly a cause for concern. For an accurate assessment of damage will have to wait till Discovery arrives at the ISS. They are just being very cautious.