Hail Columbia, RIP - Feb 1

[shuttle_rtf]

I was going to write a little something on what the Shuttles mean to me, by way of their pure inspiration that captures the imagination, as we mark the loss of Columbia and her seven crew - two years ago today (Feb 1).<br /><br />However, I really would ask all of you to view the beautiful tribute on www.nasa.gov - via the video under "Remembering Columbia".<br /><br />While the human cost is always the highest price to pay, with the expected and obvious thoughts going to their loss, I found STS-1 Astronaut Robert Crippen's tribute to Columbia was absolutely moving - what an amazing, heartfelt and emotional speech in her memory, from a man who has showed us an insight into the dedication and love that has never waned in caring for these awe-inspiring ships.<br /><br />America can be proud.<br /><br />Hail Columbia, RIP.

 

[rocketwatcher2001]

I recently watched the movie Hail Columbia, it makes me a little sad to watch it today. Not just for the loss of the crew and ship, but for the loss of spirit that ultimately will retire the Shuttle fleet in a few years. No anouncement from Washington would make me happier than to hear that a new fleet of Shuttles is going to be built, plus the long range CEV, and the two manned vehicles will work in concert with each other, our program depending on the different strengths that each has.<br /><br />Maybe I'm just impatient, but I think we should have a more ambitious program. It's true that we are building a program to go back to the Moon and Mars, so I guess I should be happy, but I'm still not satisfied. Maybe when USS RICHARD HUSBANDS enters Saturn's orbit for a 6 month stay, and a month long landing on Titan........No, I probably won't even be satisfied then, either, but I'd be very happy.<br /><br />I can't think of any fitting words for the Crew of STS-107, but I'd love to name some cool spaceships in their honor.<br /><br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[wvbraun]

"No anouncement from Washington would make me happier than to hear that a new fleet of Shuttles is going to be built, plus the long range CEV, and the two manned vehicles will work in concert with each other, our program depending on the different strengths that each has."<br /><br />I don't understand the affection many people have for the Shuttle. It's a flawed design, let's retire the fleet as soon as possible before there is another accident and still more astronauts are needlessly killed. <br />The CEV will be much safer, (somewhat) cheaper and it will actually get us somewhere, back to the Moon and on to Mars.<br />The program Bush lined out is very ambitious and NASA will be hard pressed to find the money for it, even with the proposed budget increases and the termination of the Shuttle and ISS programs in the next decade. Spend the money on projects that actually make sense.

 

[wvbraun]

Yes, that was a beautiful tribute. <br /><br />It's good to know that they didn't die in vain now that NASA is once again preparing to break out of LEO.

 

[rocketwatcher2001]

<font color="yellow">It's a flawed design, let's retire the fleet as soon as possible before there is another accident and still more astronauts are needlessly killed.</font><br /><br />I could say the same thing about 747's. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[wvbraun]

So with a 747 there is a crash every 60 flights or so?<br /><br />

 

[rocketwatcher2001]

No, but it could be safer. No one has a chance of getting out of a 747 alive if the aircraft is flying, Shuttle Astronauts at least have the option to bail out. And there have been many more 747 crashes, the 747 has killed more than 100 times the amount of people killed by the Shuttle. <br /><br />*EDIT* For Speeling <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[wvbraun]

It's really simple. NASA can't afford both the Shuttle and the CEV. Choose one.

 

[rocketwatcher2001]

News-<br />Then make the drawings and crank up the assembly lines if need be. A widget for the Shuttle doesn't have any more magic powers than the same widget for a Cessna 152. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[rocketwatcher2001]

<font color="yellow">NASA can't afford both the Shuttle and the CEV. Choose one. </font><br /><br />I choose both at the same time. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[Astrosag]

Though your facts are right, your argument, I believe, is inherently flawed. The Boeing 747 is far more successful than the shuttle (even if you could begin to compare the two...). There is room for development with ALL aircraft....or else there'd be little need to build newer, different ones. The idea with the shuttle however, is that it did its job, maybe not as well as was promised, but its a marvel of engineering-no doubt. However, we have the technology to improve the record we already have...the shuttle needs to be retired and very few people have strong arguments as to why it shouldn't (i have yet to hear a decisive one- comparing it to another old plane isn't a strong argument...actually its hardly an argument). The problem however, is that we've become absolutely dependant on this vehicle and where and when do we find the resources and time to introduce a new vehicle before this one fails once more without losing the capabilities this trasnport system brings AND without losing the very things that depend on this transportations use. Trust me when I say that I'm going to be just as downed, sad when the shuttle retires as you will be (you should look at the modles and posters i have of the machines...they are simply awesome). But sticking with a design thats nearly 40 years old doesn't inspire growth or advancement (in space)- the very things the acronym NASA carries in conotation. The shuttle was/is awesome. But we can do better and do it safer. <br /><br /><br />Also the 747 has a strong economic value to it (though it has disspated in recent times- Boeing hasn't made a passenger 47 in over two years). The shuttle, with the exception of the ISS has almost outlived its economic value or in different words, its use (both economically and physically). Its a good idea to keep the fleet until the ISS is complete and in the meantime develope a new transportation system.

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Lads, please. This isn't about the pros and cons of the Shuttle. This is about seven brave souls and a spacecraft that had the love, affection and identification of many people around the world.

 

[davp99]

2 Long Years...Long Live Apollo & Challenger & Columbia Crews Memories.. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="4">Dave..</font> </div>