BS: Shuttle Launch Delay

Subject: BS: Shuttle Launch Delay
From: GUEST,harpy
Date: 13 Jul 05 - 10:28 PM

I was thinking about this all day and find it was delayed until possibly Saturday. I may go downstate and watch: Launch Delay

Anyone know any astronauts or have stories?

Subject: RE: BS: Shuttle Launch Delay
From: beardedbruce
Date: 13 Jul 05 - 11:02 PM

Yes to both questions...

Subject: RE: BS: Shuttle Launch Delay
From: ranger1
Date: 13 Jul 05 - 11:03 PM

OK, BB. Don't throw us that crumb and walk away! Get back here and give us details!

Subject: RE: BS: Shuttle Launch Delay
From: Rapparee
Date: 13 Jul 05 - 11:05 PM

Me too.

Subject: RE: BS: Shuttle Launch Delay
From: beardedbruce
Date: 13 Jul 05 - 11:19 PM

I was on console at Goddard ( Space Flight Center) for the first four shuttle missions. The fist two had crews of 2, with ejection seats ( later removed for weight considerations). I have worked with several of the astronauts, after they left NASA. All have stories to tell...

The easy way to tell if a picture is of the first two flights is to look at the external fuel tank. They were painted white ( which would show damage, leakage, or breakage of the insulation) but the paint was not used on later flights ( 3 on) because of the weight it took away from payload ( hundreds of pounds!).

Originally, before the budget cutbacks, the intent was to always have the next mission on the pad ready to go in case of a problem with the one on-orbit.

The first flight, the description I heard was that it "rained tiles" on the launch site. Pictures on-orbit show numerous gaps on the rear ( engine and tail) area, with unknown loss on the bottom- But it got back ok. There was discussion of sending up a "repair kit" of the spray-on heat sheild used in Apollo, to fill in any large gaps, but it was not thought to be needed.

There has always been a group in the space community that wanted NASA to boost the external tanks all the way into orbit, and then ( at a later date ) make them into livable units. Some design work was done to see if aall the needed parts could be made in pieces small enough to fit throught the existing access ports.

Subject: RE: BS: Shuttle Launch Delay
From: open mike
Date: 14 Jul 05 - 12:40 AM

i heard a radio report today talking about spraying on insulating foam
and the building usedfor this is the largest one ever built,

Subject: RE: BS: Shuttle Launch Delay
From: Kaleea
Date: 14 Jul 05 - 05:08 AM

OK, you twisted my arm, so . . .some years ago, out in rural Minnesota, a lady called me to ask if I would accept a little child as guitar student. She said that the lady in their town came to see him & said he was too little. The boy ran & got his little guitar, & told her "No, I'm not--see?" & he strummed away. I told the lady, to bring that boy to me. He did very well, and loved science & math & all flying vehicles. [NOTE: most children who do well in Music also do well in their other subjects. Music teachers have known this for decades.] His father took him to visit the Smithsonian, and after that trip, he confided to me that he wanted to be an astronaut someday. When I saw a TV show that told all about space camp, I wrote down all the info, & gave it to him. He went. Years later, he took his guitar into space with him.
    I've always been interested in the race for space, especially since my Daddy was a welder on the Gemini & Apollo rockets. I have noticed over the years, that there have been several instruments taken into space by various crew members.

Subject: RE: BS: Shuttle Launch Delay
From: ranger1
Date: 14 Jul 05 - 09:54 AM

I always wanted to be an astronaut, but was discouraged from doing so because it "wasn't a job for girls." So I'm a park ranger instead. But if someone came to me today and offered me the chance to go, I'd be gone in a second.

Subject: RE: BS: Shuttle Launch Delay
From: GUEST,Amos
Date: 14 Jul 05 - 10:21 AM

You and me both!!


A

Subject: RE: BS: Shuttle Launch Delay
From: LilyFestre
Date: 14 Jul 05 - 07:50 PM

One of the folks in the shuttle is from Elmira, NY...a mere 20 minutes away. Her name is Eileen Collins....LOTS of info going on in our local news regarding the launch. It seems that now they are expecting a *possible* launch on Sunday....more likely later in the week.

I bet it's exciting to see, hear, feel and smell the power of the shuttle as it takes off....take it all in for me!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Shuttle Launch Delay
From: ranger1
Date: 26 Jul 05 - 11:30 AM

It's up, up and away!

Subject: RE: BS: Shuttle Launch Delay
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 27 Jul 05 - 07:29 PM

They've grounded the rest of them now. More debris at take off - brief details here

Hopefully there is no damage this time and the crew will be safe.