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

[Seraph]

All he has to work with is that several hundred thousand dollar lost toolbelt, and the old international space station toilet.

:-/

[Qalbert]

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.

and it was pinewood derby

[Davricle]

Space shuttle damanged on the way to space station

shuttle damanged on the way

damanged

Someone has been visiting the IAS.

[Absolutely Virtue]

The problem is that we have no money to invest in the space program, as we have to use it to bail out investment banks who are actually turning profits. Do you have any idea what would happen to the economy if we didn't make these rich white cunts richer?!?!?!!?!

[Mizango]

Someone has been visiting the IAS.

You'll notice how eerily similar that is to my email username! The secrets out!

[Seraph]

The problem is that we have no money to invest in the space program, as we have to use it to bail out investment banks who are actually turning profits. Do you have any idea what would happen to the economy if we didn't make these rich white cunts richer?!?!?!!?!

Banks in Space. You heard it here first.

[TummieGaruda]

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

Well it's not the space shuttle, but the large external fuel tank (The big red thing). The tank is covered in 1 inch polyisocyanurate foam for insulation. The problem is that the foam is sprayed on at sea level. If a pocket of air gets trapped beneath it, when the shuttle is launched, the pressure changes when it is going thru the upper atmosphere which causes foam pieces to fall off. Also, the extreme force of launch can dislodge a piece and if the piece is going fast enough, can cause considerable amount of damage.

You are probably thinking, "Oh it's just foam it can't do anything", you might want to watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suniiico7z4

As far as a replacement to the shuttle, the shuttles were only supposed to last for 10 years each. They went well beyond their usage date as the shuttle program started back in 1981.

NASA's replacement program (Constellation Program) goes back to their Apollo roots as the new rockets Ares I and V resemble the Saturn V rocket and will launch in 2015 I think. One rocket carries the crew, the other carries the payload.

EDIT: Yes I saw the topic title spelling, I guess my finger slipped after typing the "m". Fixed in topic title but still shows up wrong on the forum.

[Brill Weave]

At least it's not impacting their ability to make it to the space station. But if I were them I'd be getting a little bit worried about reentry even if they repair it.

[Mizango]

At least it's not impacting their ability to make it to the space station. But if I were them I'd be getting a little bit worried about reentry even if they repair it.

Yeah that's what the issue is, if its too big a concern they will dock a secondary to the ISS. There are always fail safes in place for instances like this.

[Seraph]

Yeah that's what the issue is, if its too big a concern they will dock a secondary to the ISS. There are always fail safes in place for instances like this.

But what happens when that shuttle fails too? Dun dun dunnnnnnnnn.

[Seraph]

Yeah that's what the issue is, if its too big a concern they will dock a secondary to the ISS. There are always fail safes in place for instances like this.

But what happens when that shuttle fails too? Dun dun dunnnnnnnnn.



In Soviet Russia, Americans fly coach?

[Xno Kappa]

Wasn't it confirmed during the Columbia shuttle re-entry that at least 2 astronauts were still conscious when the shuttle broke apart? I remember reading they refitted the shuttles with even more emergency equipment after that. Not saying it's 100% full proof but at least is it's a little reassuring.

[Mizango]

But what happens when that shuttle fails too? Dun dun dunnnnnnnnn.

Divide by zero initiated cap'n.

[TummieGaruda]

Wasn't it confirmed during the Columbia shuttle re-entry that at least 2 astronauts were still conscious when the shuttle broke apart? I remember reading they refitted the shuttles with even more emergency equipment after that. Not saying it's 100% full proof but at least is it's a little reassuring.

I remember they said something similar about the Challenger. Some of the crew members were conscious after the explosion until the nose section slammed into the ocean. That truly was a sad day...

[Pikarya]

I remember they said something similar about the Challenger. Some of the crew members were conscious after the explosion until the nose section slammed into the ocean. That truly was a sad day...

I was in Kindergarten watching it on the TV with my classmates when it happened, remember that shit to this day.

[Brill Weave]

Am I alone in thinking that we need to stop sending up shuttles and begin a complete and total renovation of the space program? Granted it's going down soon as it is, but come on.

[Eliseos]

I think if they completely stop sending up shuttles (even if it's just to fix what's broken), it'll give the public more of a reason to say it's a waste of money. Either choice has it's downfalls, but at least now we can still accomplish some things that we wouldn't be able to otherwise.

[TummieGaruda]

Am I alone in thinking that we need to stop sending up shuttles and begin a complete and total renovation of the space program? Granted it's going down soon as it is, but come on.

The space program is being redone. The Constellation program will take the place of the shuttle program in 2015. I think the only reason why they are continuing is due to the fact that they need to send supplies to the ISS, but I heard that other countries would be getting involved with sending supplies during NASA's 5 year absence.

NASA - Constellation Main

2010 is supposed to be the last year for the shuttles and then the fleet will be retired.

[Mizango]

I think if they completely stop sending up shuttles (even if it's just to fix what's broken), it'll give the public more of a reason to say it's a waste of money. Either choice has it's downfalls, but at least now we can still accomplish some things that we wouldn't be able to otherwise.

What's sad is its the people that don't know jack shit about science that say these things, they'd rather hang on to fables and superstition than to you know, explore our home and answer questions that we have a desire to know.

People find solace in ignorance. People fear the obvious, familiarity breeds contempt and thusly contempt breeds arrogance.

LEAVE OUR SCIENCE ALONE!

[Brill Weave]

I couldn't remember if it was 2010 or 2011 when those buckets get retired. Thank God it's sooner rather than later.