Space shuttle damaged on the way to space station...

[TummieGaruda]

This looks bad...we all remember the Columbia disaster was caused by the same thing:

NASA assesses damage to space shuttle - Return to Flight- msnbc.com

By Marcia Dunn
updated 2 hours, 33 minutes ago

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida - Space shuttle Endeavour rocketed toward the international space station Thursday as engineers on Earth pored over launch pictures that showed debris breaking off the fuel tank and striking the craft

If this ends in disaster, NASA will probably scrap the final shuttle flights and end the shuttle program one year early and wait for the new Constellation Program to begin. I hope we don't lose another shuttle as we are now down to 3 out of the original 6 (one was a test shuttle that never went into space)

[Dimmauk]

That sucks. I hope they come back safely. Ever since I was a kid, I've always been interested in the space program. When I lived in Houston we used to go to NASA all the time.

[Neosutra]

God damnit.

[Kael]

Man that sucks. I want us to get to the moon again and build a lunar base in my life time. Things like this end up setting that back because people become less inclined to spend money on the space program when things like this happen.

[Souj]

didnt this shuttle take like 4+ attempts to even launch?

[Qalbert]

at the risk of seeming callous, shuttles aren't the wave of the future
clearly we need more tuuuuuuuuubes

[Olo401]

They were talking about this on NPR this morning.. there are emergency measures available to fix the damage caused when the foam hits the thermal tiles, though that still depends on how much damage there is.

[Insanecyclone]

Well shit

[Norelco]

Maybe they should STOP MAKING THE SPACE SHUTTLES OUT OF FOAM!

[Effluo]

This is another reason we have to find a new way to get to space. Every flight lately has some type of debris falling off...

Hope they make it home safe. Should be interesting if they have to try to fix it up there.

[Wintermute]

Maybe they can Robo-Dracula surf back to earth?

[zoobernut]

This is another reason we have to find a new way to get to space. Every flight lately has some type of debris falling off...

Hope they make it home safe. Should be interesting if they have to try to fix it up there.

While finding a new way into space is a good idea in the long run. The reason why there have been so many problems is not because shuttles are flawed it is because the ones we are using are so damn old. It would be worthwhile to build new shuttles.

[Sonomaa]

they need to let tony stark build the space shuttles, this shit is getting silly now

[Wintermute]

While finding a new way into space is a good idea in the long run. The reason why there have been so many problems is not because shuttles are flawed it is because the ones we are using are so damn old. It would be worthwhile to build new shuttles.

It's usually the Ceramic Heat Shielding they use that's the problem isn't it? Or at least the main worry.

We not got anything by now that's as resistant to re-entry?

How old are the shuttles in service anyway, 20+ years?

[Mizango]

If push comes to shove they would send another shuttle up to retrieve them, this certainly isnt the first time its happned.

But yes, we are looking for newer ways of getting to space. The problem is finding something that doesn't cost 50 trillion to build, hence all of the space flight contests you see popping up.

No worries, we got this.

[Mizango]

they need to let tony stark build the space shuttles, this shit is getting silly now

loool

[Kael]

I remember the current administration was looking into the space program for cutbacks, but I cant remember if they actually have or not. Or are they still looking into the matter?

[Jer]

they need to let tony stark build the space shuttles, this shit is getting silly now

No kidding, he wouldn't even need a huge budget. Just put in a CAVE with a BOX OF SCRAPS!

... >.>

[Kael]

Nah, the cave and box of scraps is for Unlimited Clean Energy.

For a space shuttle he would need a Soap Box Derby kit and Swiss army knife.

[Wintermute]

Nah, the cave and box of scraps is for Unlimited Clean Energy.

For a space shuttle he would need a Soap Box Derby kit and Swiss army knife.

Pretty sure that's for Warp Speed.

NASA needs to invest in A-Team/MacGyver lessons for the 'nauts, then they can fix any damage done on liftoff.