Breaking NEWS ... NASA loses communication with Space Shuttle Columbia

[Dreamer128]

Originally posted by /)eathKiller: quote: Originally posted by Kaltia: Oh no....I hadn't heard about this, but....where there people in there?

Yes a full crew including a single Isrealie...

there is a remove possibility that it might have been terrorism...[/QUOTE]I suggest you keep the speculation at bay 'till more facts are available...
It could have been any number of issues... a shuttle is a complex device..

[ 02-01-2003, 09:53 AM: Message edited by: Dreamer128 ]

[WillowIX]

This is terrible! The footage certainly doesn´t look promising! Let´s hope everything is fine.

[Micah Foehammer]

NASA itself says that it is "very unlikely" that it was caused by a shoulder launched, ground fired missile due to the altitude of the space shuttle at the time it broke up. Speculation is a failure of the hydraulic system which is responsible for controlling the pitch and yaw of the shuttle on re-entry.

[ 02-01-2003, 10:01 AM: Message edited by: Micah Foehammer ]

[andrewas]

Originally posted by Dreamer128: I suggest you keep the speculation at bay 'till more facts are available... It could have been any number of issues... a shuttle is a complex device..

True. And re-entry is the most dangerous part of the flight. Cant remember what temperature the skin gets to, but its immense.

I dont think theres much chance of survivors. But after challenger the shuttles were equipped with ejectors, and the crew did survive in that one up until impact, so its not quite impossible.

[Kaltia]

Originally posted by WillowIX: This is terrible! The footage certainly doesn´t look promising! Let´s hope everything is fine.

I doubt it will be
Y'know what's worse? They'll keep sending people up to view the lab-rats, 'cause they're curious how a spider would work in space.

[Micah Foehammer]

Shuttle was travelling at over 12,500 mph and was at an altitude of over 200,000 feet.

[ 02-01-2003, 10:13 AM: Message edited by: Micah Foehammer ]

It apparently broke up at 200,000 feet, not likely to be terrorist, it is hard for the US or Russia to hit anything at that altitude.

Kaltia...what did you mean with your comment? I couldn't make any sense out of it at all..maybe Im just dense.

As for this being bad for NASA, I think it is infinitely worse for the astronauts.

It is a sad day, but as in any of the worlds exploration attempts throughout history, there are dangers and there will be deaths, fear of harm should never dictate our actions.

[Ziroc]

Originally posted by Micah Foehammer: This is very sketchy, but NASA has lost all communication and radar contact with the Space Shuttle Columbia since 9 am EST during its re-entry. just saw some film of this on CNN and it doesn't look good.

OMG. I hope hope hope they had an escape pod (They made the inside 'safer' since Challanger). but from what I see on the news.... It doesn't look good.

The first Isreali in space, too. Hmmmm.

Another sad day in the World.

[Micah Foehammer]

No escape pods. At that rate of speed (12,500+ mph) and altitude ... well, lets just say that it does not look very good ...

Interesting bit of information, though ... the Israeli on board was a Colonel in the Israeli air force and reportedly was a member of the flight mission which bombed the Iraqi Nuclear facility. hmmmm......

[ 02-01-2003, 10:17 AM: Message edited by: Micah Foehammer ]

[Horatio]

Just as a bit of info, the Israeli on board was a colonel, and was the first Israeli on a space shuttle. No escape pods either, apparently...