Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Jul 13, 2005 2:48:20 GMT -6
As we all await the next launch of the Shuttle in a few scant hours, I have a thought or two...
My positive energy goes along with the machine and crew. Lighting those SRB's is always a gamble, and with a machine this old, I always fear a mishap. It's not a well designed flying machine from the human safety standpoint. All other space crafts prior had some sort of contingency plan of escape during launch, but not the Shuttles. Even the Mercury's had a better system than we got now. I hope the next generation incorporates a crew cabin jettison option.
What is the contingency if some of the tiles come loose? I haven't read about the backup Shuttle to come to the rescue at the ISS. I see that they are going to examine all angles now, during launch, in flight, and at the ISS...but again, if they find something...then what?
This is also a reflection on new NASA Admin Griffin. Now, I like him, he has vision and smarts, (unlike his predecessor), and I know he has checked and rechecked all angles, but things happen beyond all of our control. If we can have a safe mission, then he will be the one who brings NASA and the manned space program back.
I wonder what goes thru the minds of the astronauts now, what the Shuttle feels like...waiting there, bathed in spotlights and hissing.
Still, with the incident two years ago, people are still rather ignorant of what's going on. I had a brief conversation with a person last week who had no clue about the Shuttle and it's scheduled launch, and even asked me where was it going... .
I won't be able to watch this launch live, but I'll be listening and pushing the craft along.
God Speed to the STS-114 and her crew.
My positive energy goes along with the machine and crew. Lighting those SRB's is always a gamble, and with a machine this old, I always fear a mishap. It's not a well designed flying machine from the human safety standpoint. All other space crafts prior had some sort of contingency plan of escape during launch, but not the Shuttles. Even the Mercury's had a better system than we got now. I hope the next generation incorporates a crew cabin jettison option.
What is the contingency if some of the tiles come loose? I haven't read about the backup Shuttle to come to the rescue at the ISS. I see that they are going to examine all angles now, during launch, in flight, and at the ISS...but again, if they find something...then what?
This is also a reflection on new NASA Admin Griffin. Now, I like him, he has vision and smarts, (unlike his predecessor), and I know he has checked and rechecked all angles, but things happen beyond all of our control. If we can have a safe mission, then he will be the one who brings NASA and the manned space program back.
I wonder what goes thru the minds of the astronauts now, what the Shuttle feels like...waiting there, bathed in spotlights and hissing.
Still, with the incident two years ago, people are still rather ignorant of what's going on. I had a brief conversation with a person last week who had no clue about the Shuttle and it's scheduled launch, and even asked me where was it going... .
I won't be able to watch this launch live, but I'll be listening and pushing the craft along.
God Speed to the STS-114 and her crew.