OT: Shuttle Breaks Up During Re-Entry

[geoschmo]

Originally posted by CNCRaymond:
Could it have been a bomb?

It's extremly unlikely that this was anything other than just an engineering failure. The shuttle is a complex piece of machinery. Millions of things have to go right every time it flies for it to return safely. And the margin for error is so small. It's not like a car that can roll to a safe stop if the engien fails. If something breaks, things go very bad very quickly.

It's a damn shame is what it is.

Geoschmo

[couslee]

Even at 22 yrs old, one also has to take into account the number of flights. Things get old, things get worn out, and even tho they may pass a saftey test, under extreem situations they may still fail. I read somewhere (iirc) that the Challanger was on it's 11th or 12th mission already when it exploded on take off. Imagine how many trips have been made since then.

On a side note, the Columbia had a mission delayed for some reason, which caused the Challanged mission to be bumped back a few days. The fleet is old. Pleople don't even like 20 yr old cars esp with high milage because of the potential for problems.

It's time for a new shuttle fleet. And until they get the funding for that, I fear we may see other fatal failures become more often. (I hope not).

From Reuters:
"Columbia is NASA's oldest shuttle and first flew in 1981".
It does not say when it was built, most likely at least a year or more before it's maiden voyage. And look at the technological advances made since then.
From AP:
"On Jan. 16, shortly after Columbia lifted off, a piece of insulating foam on its external fuel tank came off and was believed to have hit the left wing of the shuttle. Leroy Cain, the lead flight director in Mission Control, assured reporters Friday that engineers had concluded that any damage to the wing was considered minor and posed no safety hazard."

NASA should take a hint from SEIV, and put a "repair bay" module on the ISS.

[One Eyed Jack]

Even though this shuttle mission has been described as "flawless", I agree with the previous posters in thinking mechanical failure. Investigators currently have little to work from regarding a cause. A tape is making the news rounds of what appears to be ice or a tile falling from the fuel tanks and striking the shuttle wing during launch that investigators are reviewing. However, this is not exactly an uncommon occurrence. In the break up replay many reporters are focusing on what looks to be an explosion (secondary not root cause).

Lots of early reports concerning debris falling coming out of Nacogdoches Texas, both town and county as well as other areas. People are warned to avoid debris due to potential life threatening toxins released by the fuel from the shuttle as it evaporates. Can cause slow suffocation in a 48 hr. period if inhaled. Call your local law enforcement agency if you spot debris. Do not approach.

Some people are sending pictures via the web of debris in their yard to news agencies.

I love the space program and watching this stuff hurts.

[dbt1949]

[Tenryu]

Been watching this stuff since about 9am est. It had become so routine we forget how dangerous it is. Sorta like the first Portuguese explorations and Columbus era ventures toward the east.

Rips my heart out to see this sort of thing happen.

We need to build another, and make it bigger and better and safer.

[ February 01, 2003, 17:14: Message edited by: Tenryu ]

[Arkcon]

Originally posted by CNCRaymond:
Could it have been a bomb?

Widely considered to be unlikely. The shuttle has very strict weight limits. So it couldn't have been hidden prior to launch. You can pick aprt other terrorist possibilities as well.

[Taera]

this is all very sad. i have not heard about this before. what saddens me the most is that the elite of our space astronauts AND scientists were burned in atmosphere.

[Graeme Dice]

Originally posted by CNCRaymond:
Could it have been a bomb?

That doesn't make any sense, as a bomb works just as well if not better if you set it off well before re-entry.

[David E. Gervais]

This is indeed a tragic day in history. I believe that the best way to honor the crew of Columbia (and the crew of Challenger) is to keep NASA and the space program up and running. These fine people knew the risks and choose to accept them in the persuit of science. I salute their bravery, respect their choice and honor there memory. May their dream live long and prosper.

[F Te antKe]

Seven explorers
Fearless into the unknown
Spirits shall not die