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Thread: Space Shuttle

  1. #1
    Pamela
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    Default Space Shuttle

    I know alot of you may have heard, and alot of you may not yet. I am sad, another Shuttle since i lived here has blown, up. As i know alot of NASA Personel, i find this situation very very heart breaking. And my hearts go out to the families, as well as a prayer for the crew. Pamela.
    Just had to write this message, and share. I am sad. No dancing this weekend now for me. I will take a few days off.

  2. #2
    Featured Member Chuck149's Avatar
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    Default Re: Space Shuttle

    It's a dangerous job they do. This tragedy only proves that. May God have mercy on their souls.
    "when it comes to staying young, a mind-lift beats a face-lift any day" ~ Marty Bucella

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    Veteran Member NYCjacqueline's Avatar
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    Default Re: Space Shuttle

    Yes, we've been here following it all online and on the news - it is so sad, and though I don't know them, my thoughts are with the famillies and loved ones - It is good to take a moment , I'm glad you brought this up, Pam- too many people see tragedy and just simply carry on with their lives only because the event doesn't necessarily directly affect them.
    "You have no idea what a long-legged gal can do without doing anything." -Claudette Colbert

  4. #4
    Member Shawn's Avatar
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    Default Re: Space Shuttle

    Terrible. They risked their lives for science and research and had a horrible outcome. They are definitely heros!!!!

  5. #5
    Veteran Member Tre's Avatar
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    Default Re: Space Shuttle

    Simply bad timing.

    All that the powers that be were waiting for was another "shot heard 'round the world".

    The first Israeli astronaut in space. The first India-born woman in space....
    Loose lips and small minds are already taking this to places none of us want to go.

    Brace yourself.

    ----------------------------
    There will be a public briefing by NASA at 3 pm EST today.
    "The elastic retreat rings the close of play as the last wave uncovers the newfangled way."

  6. #6
    Pamela
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    Default Re: Space Shuttle

    Tre, i don't understand, are you thinking it actually was an act of terrorism? That someone wanted it stopped? Seems like Thermal tiles blew off or something of that sort, when the shuttle hit the atmosphere. I hope that is all that happened, and i am confident it was. Not terrorism. Old shuttle, refurbirshed, and timing, yes. It will always happen. But something of a different nature, as they learn problems that can occur...Always, we being human and not perfect. Accident. My belief. Prayers to all of the crew and families.

  7. #7
    Jay Zeno
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    Default Re: Space Shuttle

    I watched all I could - about five minutes' worth. The sight of the ship, even at long distance, breaking up was just too much to watch for too long. Too many tragic images in the last several years.

    This certainly drives home the fact that space travel is a dangerous business. So many systems, so much power, so many hazards, to get people away from the "surly bonds of earth." We see it so often it becomes a routine, like thinking that it's about as perilous as getting onto the interstate. Not so.

    May the spirits of our space pioneers live on like other adventurers, dramatic and mundane, of humanity, and that our resolve for exploration and discovery not be stifled by the tragedy that these endeavors must necessarily meet.

  8. #8
    Banned Melonie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Space Shuttle

    IMHO we'll never come away from this tragedy with an exact explanation of what happened as we did in 1986. Remember that this particular shuttle has been flying for 22 years. The stress cracks discovered in the shuttle's engine fuel lines etc., which delayed shuttle launches for months, were a precursor of sorts. Of course for the last 10 years the federal government hasn't provided NASA enough funding to even dream about replacing it's aging shuttles. The loss of the entire crew is absolutely tragic, of course, but there is such a thing as risk management. Imagine how safe driving on the Interstate would be if every car and truck was 22 years old.

  9. #9
    God/dess
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    Default Re: Space Shuttle

    All of the news crews are out in the small towns in East Texas - my sister-in-law's family in Crockett said it shook the house and they had no idea what it was.

    It is really sad; but at least they had fulfilled their dreams by going into space.

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    God/dess velvet's Avatar
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    Default Re: Space Shuttle

    very sad indeed. i will never forget about 3 years ago when a nasa engineer told me it was only a matter of time as they were so old, so what melonie says is right on. this was in the county that the space center is in here in florida, actually he may have been from houston, either way a nasa guy telling me that i havent forgotten it.
    As quoted by Luckyone:
    I asked directions from a genie in a bottle of jim beam and she lied to me.

    Methodus saved my life!

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    God/dess doc-catfish's Avatar
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    Default Re: Space Shuttle


    I was driving home from work this morning when I heard the news. Absolutely disbelieving.

    17 years ago I was home sick when the Challenger accident occured. Today's tragedy brought all the memories of that day back. Funny how one can remember those things.

    A sad day indeed for our country. My prayers are with the astronauts families.
    Former SCJ now in rehab.

  12. #12
    Veteran Member Tre's Avatar
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    Default Re: Space Shuttle

    No, I wasn't implying that I, myself, believe an act of terrorism occurred. Nor do I agree with many of the instant media speculations.

    Perhaps our news coverage differs.

    The Israeli astronaut was a Colonel for, if I remember correctly, the Israeli Air Force.
    News reports have already stated that the emotions in Israel are split, between sorrow and blame.
    I was implying that all the world is waiting for is a trigger.
    Referring to the act "responsible" for instigating a previous World war. Which, might I add, also had very little to do with the impending war at the time.
    ---------------------------
    Indeed, it is a terrible tragedy.
    I concur with Jason, however, that space travel has become seemingly passé. We often believe far too strongly that we humans are infallible. And misunderstand, or, by no small level of ignorance, find it hard to accept when we are proven otherwise.

    Please excuse my cynicism. I don't wish to come off as insensitive.
    "The elastic retreat rings the close of play as the last wave uncovers the newfangled way."

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    God/dess Pryce's Avatar
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    Default Re: Space Shuttle

    ...I heard a clip from Laurel (spelling?) Clark on the news...she said she was excited to be coming home...

    While I'm not religious...I hope she is home now.
    We all imagine ourselves the agents of our destiny, capable of determining our own fate. But have we truly any choice in when we rise, or when we fall, or does a force larger than ourselves bid us our direction. Is it evolution that takes us by the hand, does Science point our way, or is it God who intervenes keeping us safe.

    So much struggle for meaning, for purpose. And in the end, we find it only in each other. Our shared experience of the fantastic. And the mundane. The simple human need to find a kindred, to connect. And to know in our hearts... that we are not alone.
    Heroes

  14. #14
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    Default Re: Space Shuttle

    On one hand, I have to say that I agree with Tre's assessment of the possible political ramifications here. I truly believe this was a horrific accident, most likely stemming from faulty or outdated equipment. However, that doesn't mean everyone does / will see it that way. Press coverage yesterday from Israel indicates that there has already been whispered speculation that a shuttle carrying the first Israeli astronaut would be a "target". India has not gone that far yet, but that does not mean they won't. The Israeli man and India-born woman were both considered national heros by their respective countries of birth, which means that emotions are going to be high. What I am concerned about is that this may somehow instigate the entry of India and Israel into the impending war, and that popular sentiment regarding this tragedy could polarize these nations in terms of with whom they ally. This is a very very bad thing politically... Let's pray that this does not happen, and that it is all accepted as a random tragedy.

    On the other hand, maybe it's what small streak of American patriotism resides in my heart, but it was really hard for me to swallow this all down even as hours of TV footage covered it... I remember watching the Challenger explode as it happened, in an elementary school gym with my entire school. It was supposed to be an exciting time for us, as we were to watch the first teacher enter space. We all held our breaths in anticipation as it began lift off, only to watch it explode before our eyes. Everyone stared in shock and horror, before the TV was quickly shut off and we were rushed back to our classes. In a lot of ways, though, this is much much worse. You expect something to go wrong at the beginning, if it is going to happen. Or maybe something will snag in the middle of a mission. But there is something that just seems so wrong and raw for a person to be less than 20 minutes from home, and never see it coming...

    Sorry if I'm rambling. I agree with Chuck's sentiment - may God have mercy on their souls.

    McCain

  15. #15
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    Default Re: Space Shuttle

    The tragedy hit my hometown really hard because one of the astronauts (Mckool) was a native, born and raised, before fulfilling his dreams of becoming an astronaut.

    I do agree with the president in that let's find the problem, fix it, then continue on with the space program.

    My condolences to all the families.
    "carpe diem"

  16. #16
    Member AutumnSexyBottom's Avatar
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    Default Re: Space Shuttle

    Another tragedy...when will it end? My thoughts and prayers go to all those grieving.
    Brave heros taken from us. For people to even consider this a deliberate act of terrorism...tsk, tsk.


    CIAO
    Like a soul without a mind, like a body without a heart....I'm Miss America. (Massive Attack)

  17. #17
    Moderator Djoser's Avatar
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    Default Re: Space Shuttle

    The lesson to be learned from this tragedy could give the awful sacrifice meaning, and make such spirit as survives the victims content.

    As long as there are those who have the courage to explore new and dangerous realms, some of those will die. The men and women who board these incredibly complex machines share this in common with heroes who perished in ramshackle constructs of wood and canvas throughout the history of exploration and discovery. Actually it was much more dangerous back then, if you look at the survival rates--not that this detracts in the slightest from the fortitude required to blast off in a shuttle.

    The real tragedy is that this sacrifice might have been avoided if the research and development of new and more advanced (and safer) shuttle prototypes had not been curtailed, forcing our astronauts to take even greater chances by flying in obsolete vehicles. Pity our boys at Midway, had they taken on the Japanese fleet in twenty year old biplanes.

    Hopefully the fact that the accident took place forty miles above the Earth will keep the potential for fanning the flames of imminent war to a minimum. Rational minds will be satisfied with this (not that Israel or India are guaranteed to behave rationally). There even exists a chance, I feel, for this to possibly divert humanity's never ending obsession with conflict and bloodshed to more productive ends.

    If Bush channeled some of his zeal for war--this single-minded passion of his that is making the rest of the world increasingly skeptical of his motives--into a zeal to devote the nation's resources once and for all to the conquest of space, he would be doing the astronauts' memory the best service, and our nation far more good.

    The moment is ripe--if he has the courage to seize it, and do more than make a few conciliatory speeches before plunging back into his obsession with invasion and dominance. What paltry and dubious glory won by rubbing Saddam's face in the desert sand (again) would be infinitesimal compared to that won by glorious victory won in a war memorable for millennia to come.

    A war to conquer space would provide jobs, stimulate industry, and advance science far more than invading Iraq, or any other country. Not only that, but even from a militaristic point of view this could only be beneficial--whoever controls space will be in a position to win any future war just as those who controlled the air won World War II.

    It is a war we cannot lose, save only in the inevitable death of some of those courageous enough to take the forefront of this mighty effort. That won't stop others from taking their place.

    Anyone who reads history knows full well how futile it has been thus far to strive for peace on this Earth. Maybe the answer is in the stars.

    Djoser
    You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star.
    Friedrich Nietzsche

    Free your mind, and your ass will follow.
    George Clinton

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  18. #18
    Veteran Member hollyday's Avatar
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    Default Re: Space Shuttle

    On Friday I was really weepy and emotional, which isn't like me...that night AutumnSB came home from work crying.....she was really emotional, not like I'd ever seen her...the next morning we woke up and found out what happened....I still have goosebumps as I type this.........
    blessed be

  19. #19
    Veteran Member Tre's Avatar
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    Default Re: Space Shuttle

    For people to even consider this a deliberate act of terrorism...tsk, tsk.
    That's not what the talk is about.

    It's a matter of ignorance and negligence, if anything.

    80 seconds after lift-off, something was wrong. The astronauts were told that it was "nothing to be concerned about".
    NASA, no doubt, was ultimately concerned about the mission's parameters.

    We'd like to believe these lives were taken for the betterment of the world.
    More mourn today than were even aware we had once again left for space.

    For this, human-kind, I mourn.
    "The elastic retreat rings the close of play as the last wave uncovers the newfangled way."

  20. #20
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    Default Re: Space Shuttle

    On Friday I was really weepy and emotional, which isn't like me...that night AutumnSB came home from work crying.....she was really emotional, not like I'd ever seen her...the next morning we woke up and found out what happened....I still have goosebumps as I type this.........
    I happened to have gone back to my parent's for the evening. Having nightmares and then having my mother wake me up telling me "the shuttle just blew up" was way too similar to "we're under attack, they're flying planes into the WTC"

    For most of my life I wanted to be an astronaut. I can name every NASA accident, and before my car accident, could have named every person involved.

    If NASA called me tomarrow and told me I was good to fly, I would decline. The Space Transport System was designed in the 70s, and its intention was to have an entire fleet of shuttles that would fly once a week. This is obviously not the case. Budget cuts and age have taken a heavy toll on our space program.

    It's time the international community steps up to the plate and develops a new system of stellar travel. Only as one planet can we ever hope to reach the stars.

    Just imagine if JFK had gone ahead with his original speech, instead of to the moon in 10, it would have been to Mars in 20. What would our world be like today? Hopefully it's not too late.
    The dumb kid is back!

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