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01 Feb 03 - 03:00 PM (#880171) Subject: Obit: 7 Space Shuttle Columbia Astronauts From: GUEST,Johnny The news has been made official by President Bush. All the major media web outlets are now carrying biographical information about the astronauts. Here is a link to the page at ABC News (scroll down). http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/shuttledisaster_subindex.html I, like many people, am very proud and very sad at this news. By that I mean I'm reassured knowing that they died doing something of such tremendous importance for the world, and for which they had tremendous dedication, passion, love, and enthusiasm. Their friends, colleagues, and loved ones must have been very rich in life with them, and will undoubtedly be poorer for this tragic loss. |
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01 Feb 03 - 03:14 PM (#880176) Subject: RE: Obit: 7 Space Shuttle Columbia Astronauts From: GUEST Here is the official statement of President Bush: Bush to families: 'Entire nation grieves with you' Saturday, February 1, 2003 Posted: 2:28 PM EST (1928 GMT) My fellow Americans, this day has brought terrible news and great sadness to our country. At 9 o'clock this morning, Mission Control in Houston lost contact with our space shuttle Columbia. A short time later, debris was seen falling from the skies above Texas. The Columbia's lost. There are no survivors. Onboard was a crew of seven -- Colonel Rick Husband, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Anderson, Commander Laurel Clark, Captain David Brown, Commander William McCool, Dr. Kalpana Chawla, and Ilan Ramon a colonel in the Israeli air force. These men and women assumed great risk in this service to all humanity. In an age when space flight has come to seem almost routine, it is easy to overlook the dangers of travel by rocket and the difficulties of navigating the fierce outer atmosphere of the earth. These astronauts knew the dangers, and they faced them willingly, knowing they had a high and noble purpose in life. Because of their courage and daring and idealism, we will miss them all the more. All Americans today are thinking, as well, of the families of these men and women who have been given this sudden shock and grief. You're not alone. Our entire nation grieves with you. And those you loved will always have the respect and gratitude of this country. The cause in which they died will continue. Mankind is led into the darkness beyond our world by the inspiration of discovery and the longing to understand. Our journey into space will go on. In the skies today, we saw destruction and tragedy. Yet farther than we can see, there is comfort and hope. In the words of the prophet Isaiah, "Lift your eyes and look to the heavens. Who created all these? He who brings out the starry hosts one by one and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing." The same creator who names the stars also knows the names of the seven souls we mourn today. The crew of the shuttle Columbia did not return safely to Earth, yet we can pray that all are safely home. May God bless the grieving families, and may God continue to bless America." |
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01 Feb 03 - 03:25 PM (#880181) Subject: RE: Obit: 7 Space Shuttle Columbia Astronauts From: The Pooka One need not be a fan of Pres. Bush nor conventionally religious (I am neither) to acknowledge that his words well well-chosen & his quotation from Isaiah appropriate. May the Columbia 7 rest in peace, and may their memory & their mission live on. |
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01 Feb 03 - 03:39 PM (#880188) Subject: RE: Obit: 7 Space Shuttle Columbia Astronauts From: GUEST,Johnny I agree Pooka, and I don't mean this in any sort of negative way, but whoever the writer of those word is (I think we all know it wasn't Bush), touched the perfect note. Let us not forget to keep the astronauts still in space in your thoughts and prayers too, and their families and friends too. The International Space Station Expedition Six Crew, Astronauts Nikolai Budarin, Kenneth Bowersox, and Don Petit, still remain up there. They have some lonely days ahead of them now, I'm sure. They are due back in March on the space shuttle Atlantis. They've been there since November. Here is the NASA site for their expedition: http://www.scipoc.msfc.nasa.gov/expedition6.html |
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01 Feb 03 - 04:08 PM (#880211) Subject: RE: Obit: 7 Space Shuttle Columbia Astronauts From: GUEST Here is something terribly poignant I just came across too, from a year ago. It is an article from Space.com. http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/sts109_update_020128.html I'll be signing off for a while now. Peace to all. Columbia Rolls Out As NASA Marks Challenger Anniversary By Todd Halvorson Cape Canaveral Bureau Chief posted: 04:15 pm ET 28 January 2002 CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Shuttle Columbia rolled out to a Kennedy Space Center launch pad amid tight security Monday as NASA paused to mark the 16th anniversary of the 1986 Challenger explosion, which killed seven astronauts. With a military jet fighter, a security helicopter and a surveillance plane patrolling the area, Columbia made its way to launch pad 39A as NASA continued preparations for its planned Feb. 28 launch on a Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission. The show of force punctuated heightened security measures that NASA has put in place since the Sept. 11 attacks on America and the resulting U.S. war on terrorism. Columbia, meanwhile, approached the launch pad around 11:38 a.m. EST (1638 GMT) – or the same time that Challenger blasted off on its tenth and final flight. Flags around NASA's central Florida spaceport were flying at half staff, and both NASA and contractor workers observed a voluntarily moment of silence to honor the Challenger astronauts, who were killed after the shuttle exploded 73.6 seconds into the ill-fated flight. "Everybody who was here at the time remembers – there's no question about that," said Jack King, a spokesman for NASA's prime shuttle contractor, United Space Alliance. "And many of them remember every time we launch – to make sure it never happens again." With five men and two women onboard, Challenger was engulfed in a giant fireball after a seal on its right hand solid rocket booster failed, allowing hot gasses to escape its metal casing. The nose of the 149-foot (45.2-meter) booster pivoted into the shuttle's fuel-filled external tank, triggering an explosion that led to the aerodynamic break-up of the vehicle. Killed were mission commander Francis "Dick" Scobee, rookie pilot Michael Smith, mission specialists Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka and Judy Resnik, and two payload specialists: Gregory Jarvis and Christa McAuliffe. An educator from New Hampshire, McAuliffe had been selected to become NASA's first "Teacher-In-Space." NASA's hushed tribute came as 200 city officials and residence gathered in nearby Titusville to honor the Challenger crew and the Apollo 1 astronauts, the latter of whom died 35 years ago Sunday in a launch-pad fire at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Virgil "Gus" Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chaffee perished when a flash fire swept through their Apollo 1 spacecraft during what was supposed to be a routine practice countdown. "It was a tragic accident, and a severe blow to the U.S. space program's race to beat the Soviet Union to the moon," former shuttle payload specialist Sam Durrance told the crowd at a memorial plaza built to honor the two lost crews. But "America's political leaders, NASA and its contractors reacted with tenacity and dedication to find the problems and correct them, to keep the dream of spaceflight alive," he added. And two-and-a-half years later, Durrance said, "the world watched in awe as two American astronauts walked on the surface of the moon." The nation responded in a like manger to Challenger disaster, Durrance said. "It was a tragic accident, and a severe blow to the U.S. space program. (But) once again, America's political leaders, NASA and its contractors reacted with tenacity and dedication, to find the problems and correct them, to keep the dream of spaceflight alive," he said. And then in late September 1988, shuttle Discovery set sail on a mission that returned the nation to space once again. Durrance, who now heads up a state of Florida space research organization, said the same type of resolve now should be applied toward NASA's troubled International Space Station project, which is facing an anticipated $4.8 billion cost overrun. The projected shortfall has prompted NASA to at least temporarily shelve plans for a U.S. habitation module and an American crew rescue vehicle – components considered key to expanding station staffing and carrying out a robust research program. "The International Space Station is undoubtedly the largest, most complex international engineering and scientific project ever undertaken," Durrance said. In the span of the past 18 months, he noted that NASA and its international partners have taken a once-vacant station and added crew quarters, a $600 million U.S. power tower, a 1.4 billion U.S. laboratory, a $600 million Canadian robot arm and two airlocks. Science research began in earnest last year, and full-time crews have continuously occupied the station since November 2000. "We should be celebrating these remarkable achievements," Durrance said. But instead, he noted that the centerpiece of America's human space flight program has encountered severe cost and management difficulties that could damage its value as a platform for conducting world-class science – the purported goal of the project. "Now this of course is not a dramatic, tragic event like Apollo 1 or the Challenger accident," Durrance said. "But I believe it is again time for America's political leaders, NASA and its contractors, to react with tenacity and dedication, to find the problems, correct them and keep the dream of spaceflight alive." Held annual at a city park with a view of NASA's shuttle launch pad, the astronaut memorial event is staged annually by the city of Titusville. A church choir sang patriotic songs, and local veterans groups presented the colors. School children read biographies they had written about the fallen astronauts, and bouquets were placed on plaques honoring each of the Apollo 1 and Challenger crewmembers. An apple and flowers were placed on the plaque that pays tribute to McAuliffe. An oversized American flag was lowered to half-mast and taps were played at the end of the ceremony. Columbia, meanwhile, will be launched next month on NASA's 108th shuttle mission. The flight will be the agency's 83rd shuttle mission since the Challenger accident. |
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01 Feb 03 - 05:45 PM (#880290) Subject: RE: Obit: 7 Space Shuttle Columbia Astronauts From: mg they just played "from a distance" on KMUN..what a perfect choice of a song..mg |
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01 Feb 03 - 05:51 PM (#880293) Subject: RE: Obit: 7 Space Shuttle Columbia Astronauts From: GUEST,Johnny That is very touching Mary, thanks for sharing. I've been playing the James Taylor song "Fire and Rain" all day. Six of the seven astronauts were married, and five of them had children. |
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01 Feb 03 - 05:56 PM (#880295) Subject: RE: Obit: 7 Space Shuttle Columbia Astronauts From: Little Hawk For these seven, as for any others passing on, I wish them a good journey and joyful continuance to their souls. They will not be forgotten by any who love them. - LH |
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01 Feb 03 - 06:05 PM (#880302) Subject: Lyr Add: FIRE AND RAIN (James Taylor) From: GUEST,Johnny "Fire And Rain" James Taylor As recorded by James Taylor on "Sweet Baby James" (1970) Just yesterday morning they let me know you were gone Susanne, the plans they made put an end to you I walked out this morning and I wrote down this song I just can't remember who to send it to I've seen fire and I've seen rain I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend But I always thought that I'd see you again Won't you look down upon me, Jesus You've got to help me make a stand You've just got to see me through another day My body's aching and my time is at hand And I won't make it any other way Oh, I've seen fire and I've seen rain I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend But I always thought that I'd see you again Been walking my mind to an easy time my back turned towards the sun Lord knows when the cold wind blows it'll turn your head around Well, there's hours of time on the telephone line to talk about things to come Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground Oh, I've seen fire and I've seen rain I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend But I always thought that I'd see you, baby, one more time again, now Thought I'd see you one more time again There's just a few things coming my way this time around, now Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you fire and rain, now |
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01 Feb 03 - 06:07 PM (#880305) Subject: Lyr Add: FROM A DISTANCE (Julie Gold) From: GUEST,Johnny Julie Gold From A Distance From a distance, the world looks blue and green, and the snow-capped mountains, white. From a distance, the ocean meets the stream, and the Eagle takes to flight. From a distance, there is harmony, and it echoes through the land, It's the voice of hope, It's the voice of peace, It's the voice of every man. From a distance, we all have enough, and no one is in need. There are no guns, no bombs, no diseases, no hungry mouths to feed. From a distance, we are instruments, marching in a common band, Playing songs of hope, Playing songs of peace, They're the songs of every man. God is watching us, God is watching us, God is watching us, from a distance. From a distance, you look like my friend, even though we are at war. From a distance, I can't comprehend, what all this fighting is for. From a distance, there is harmony, and it echoes through the land, It's the hope of hopes, It's the love of loves, It's the heart of every man / song of every man. |
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01 Feb 03 - 07:19 PM (#880340) Subject: Lyr Add: HIGH FLIGHT From: Blues=Life "High Flight" Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there, I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or even eagle flew - And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand and touched the face of God. John Gillespie Magee, Jr. |
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01 Feb 03 - 09:13 PM (#880412) Subject: RE: Obit: 7 Space Shuttle Columbia Astronauts From: Stilly River Sage It is so sad. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/2716961.stm |
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01 Feb 03 - 10:54 PM (#880463) Subject: RE: Obit: 7 Space Shuttle Columbia Astronauts From: Sandy Mc Lean I wish to express my sympathy to all of the American people on this day of sadness! I was going to post the words to "High Flight" but I am so pleased to see that Blues=life has already done so. John Magee's words seem to say it all. It is eerie to think that they were written over 60 years ago. John Magee ,an American, was a wartime pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force and gave his life at the tender age of 19 in defence of freedom. As a Canadian I share your sense of loss today and I admire your ability to overcome tragedy and forge onward. Sandy |
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01 Feb 03 - 11:33 PM (#880472) Subject: RE: Obit: 7 Space Shuttle Columbia Astronauts From: The Pooka Thank you Sandy. / Such an awful loss sustained in the cause of human exploration & knowledge is a loss to all the world; and all must forge on, together. |
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02 Feb 03 - 12:15 AM (#880482) Subject: RE: Obit: 7 Space Shuttle Columbia Astronauts From: catspaw49 As several of us have brought up "High Flight" on both threads, here's just a bit more on young John Magee, the author. "Born of an American father and English mother, John Gillespie Magee gave up studies at Yale University to join the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1940. An American serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force, he was born in Shanghai, China in 1922, the son of missionary parents, Reverend and Mrs. John Gillespie Magee; his father was an American and his mother was originally a British citizen. He came to the U.S. in 1939 and earned a scholarship to Yale, but in September 1940 he enlisted in the RCAF and was graduated as a pilot. He was sent to England for combat duty in July 1941. He was qualified on and flew the Supermarine Spitfire. He was stationed at RAF Wellingore, a satellite station of RAF Digby, with 412 Squadron RCAF when he wrote "High Flight". The poem encompasses his thoughts and feelings of the freedom of flight, and in particular, the exhilaration he felt after a flying in the Spitfire.
Flying fighter sweeps over France and air defence over England against the German Luftwaffe, he rose to the rank of Pilot Officer. At the time, German bombers were crossing the English Channel with great regularity to attack Britain's cities and factories. Although the dark days of the Battle of Britain were over, the Luftwaffe was still on the job of keeping up the pressure on British industry and the country. On September 3, 1941, Magee flew a high altitude (30,000 feet) test flight in a newer model of the Spitfire V. As he orbited and climbed upward, he was struck with the inspiration of a poem -- "To touch the face of God." |
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02 Feb 03 - 12:39 AM (#880486) Subject: RE: Obit: 7 Space Shuttle Columbia Astronauts From: katlaughing Thanks for that, Pat. |
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02 Feb 03 - 01:18 AM (#880496) Subject: RE: Obit: 7 Space Shuttle Columbia Astronauts From: Night Owl I've been thinking today about the mirror of life Mudcat is. We...together... as a community, offer our heartfelt sympathies to the Astronauts' families; we offer each other...and accept from each other...global condolences in recognition that loss of any human life is tragic; and we, together....as a community, just celebrated the miracle of a new life being born. Just been thinking today about life cycles, and how the cycles are reflected here in the threads. |
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02 Feb 03 - 08:40 AM (#880563) Subject: RE: Obit: 7 Space Shuttle Columbia Astronauts From: Firecat I was shocked to hear about the accident, and can only think "Rest In Peace". |
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02 Feb 03 - 08:52 AM (#880566) Subject: RE: Obit: 7 Space Shuttle Columbia Astronauts From: rock chick I was so saddened by the news, God rest their souls, our thoughts go out to all the families and to the Americans who have suffered such tragedy. |
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02 Feb 03 - 09:12 AM (#880575) Subject: RE: Obit: 7 Space Shuttle Columbia Astronauts From: GUEST,Space exploration fan It is realy sad that these brave people had to lose their lives in pursuit of greater knowledge of space,but was it realy neccesary???...A rather large question apparently looms over the equipment they were sent up in due to the strangulatory effects of funding for the space project that has them still using 1980's technology that has already had its flaws highlighted long before yesterdays tragic events....Whether we earthbound terrestials see much benefit from space exploration within our lifetimes hardly matters...surely it is the human races destiny to reach out into the cosmos like seed pods....So lets please hope and push for better funding in future so that more modern and possibly more reliable equipment can be brought into use in what should be a truly enlightened inspirational project where underfunding should never result in unneccessary losses of asyranaughts or equipment... |
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02 Feb 03 - 09:27 AM (#880580) Subject: RE: Obit: 7 Space Shuttle Columbia Astronauts From: *daylia* Blues=Life, GUEST Johnny, Spaw - thanks for the poetry, the lyrics and the information. Brought me to tears - always a healthy way of spending grief. May we continue to 'boldly go where no-one has gone before' - more safely and wisely as a result of this tragedy. |
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04 Feb 03 - 10:07 AM (#882215) Subject: RE: Obit: 7 Space Shuttle Columbia Astronauts From: Stilly River Sage Here are some photos from my local paper of the search area. |
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05 Feb 03 - 04:13 PM (#883419) Subject: RE: Obit: 7 Space Shuttle Columbia Astronauts From: Rex I've been just recalling the loss of these fine people at some places I've been playing at. Then I introduce the tune "Hail Columbia" and play it. Rex |
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18 Nov 17 - 07:02 PM (#3889203) Subject: RE: Obit: 7 Space Shuttle Columbia Astronauts From: GUEST,pauperback The Salon Interview: Camille Paglia, Bad omen: Why the Columbia disaster should make Bush think twice about rushing to war with Iraq. |
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20 Nov 17 - 08:43 AM (#3889434) Subject: RE: 2003 Obit: 7 Space Shuttle Columbia Astronauts From: Vashta Nerada A brain fart transported you back 14 years to the most loopy "feminist" I've ever run across? |
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20 Nov 17 - 12:26 PM (#3889471) Subject: RE: 2003 Obit: 7 Space Shuttle Columbia Astronauts From: robomatic What is to be gained by a GUEST going into a fourteen year old thread and ressurecting it with some triviality? Is this some form of counting coup that I'm unfamiliar with? Seems to result in screwing with the time-line of our threads hence the forum in general. Is this just to sow confustion? Should threads go into archive at some age? Thread minders help me out here The earliest threads don't reflect the status of music vs BS - so guests sometimes are able to participate in default BS just because of the age of threads that can be revived in the music section. This particular guest is a regular with a moniker, but it was a strange thread revival. And a really strange link. |