Space Shuttle Return to Flight (part 4)

[j05h]

>Stafford-Covey still has "open issues" but appear to be giving a 'green light' as such.<br /><br />Not to stomp on the fire or anything, but what happens if one of those "open issues" dooms Discovery? Is there a legal or jobs recourse for the members of the committee? I keep getting this pre-Challenger feeling, and I know that's nothing to go on, but it seems like the hard-to-fix corners are being cut. I just hope the crews are safe.<br /><br />Josh <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center"><em>We need a first generation of pioneers.</em><br /></div> </div>

 

[drwayne]

A couple of points that I would like to put out there for consideration. I do not work the shuttle program, so you can view what I tell you as unbiased or simply uninformed. (I am sure my wife could come up with a few colorful metaphors in that area)<br /><br />(1) Every time you make a change to fix something, there is a finite chance of breaking something in a way you do not understand. You have to weight the probability of an even happening with the consequence and decide which makes more sense. I have never seen or been associated with a program that did not fly with some open paper. Failure modes that were known about. You can keep working from now for the next 10 years and not close all potential loops.<br /><br />(2) There are a number of changes that have been made in the system. At some point, the system has enough changes that it can in fact become something different than you expect. You have to do integrated system testing to keep from drifting into some corner in which you do not want to be.<br /><br />Wayne <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>"1) Give no quarter; 2) Take no prisoners; 3) Sink everything."  Admiral Jackie Fisher</p> </div>

 

[ozspace]

OK, for those of us who are planning to be at STS-114's launch and are from outside the US, have you booked flights?<br />I know that Griffin will be making his decision known after the FRR, probably sometime Friday in the US. <br />That leaves a pretty short lead time (12 days if he sticks with the 13th) and discount flights will be harder and harder to get as the date gets closer.

 

[SpaceKiwi]

oz, what are the paperwork, visa requirements like? Can you get that side of things processed in such a short time? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em><font size="2" color="#ff0000">Who is this superhero?  Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!</font></em></p><p><em><font size="2">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</font></em></p><p><font size="5">Bring Back The Black!</font></p> </div>

 

[ozspace]

All done, I have a press pass already approved and Aussies don't need a visa for the US. I don't need a working visa as I am not being employed in the US.

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Plently of flights into Orlando from Manchester still available....reservation to get into Orlando for the 11th.<br /><br />Booked into a hotel in Rockledge (props to Ben for that recommendation) through the 11th.<br /><br />Was told I should be fine for the pass, but waiting for confirmation - and due for a call-back from Mandy after calling KSC yesterday. Being English is a real problem apparently. Even the BBC aren't badged yet, as of yesterday.<br /><br />We should all hook up for beers.

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Marcia Dunn decides to write a pretty short and negative article about Ice Debris:<br /><br />"Is the Shuttle safe from Ice Debris"<br />http://www.presstelegram.com/Stories/0,1413,204~21474~2941166,00.html<br /><br />Is it me, or hasn't the Shuttle launches 113 times with Ice Debris potential......media's got to be careful not to make this sound like a new issue that's a massive threat.

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Upon checking e-mails this morning, one manager (can't say which one till I get permission) is going to the FRR to ask for a launch delay "of days" as they need more time.

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Massive difference of opinion on how the media took the Task Group findings yesterday:<br /><br />This is the current wire (GMT times):<br /><br />15-30 mins old<br />Registration site: NASA fails to meet shuttle safety goals Pioneer Press, Minnesota 09:10<br /><br />Subscription site: Shuttle progress comes up short Chattanooga Times Free Press, Tennessee 09:03<br /><br />Registration site: Advisers say NASA fell short on shuttle safety improvements Baltimore Sun, Maryland 08:24<br /><br />Registration site: Panel: Some shuttle changes not made Miami Herald 08:22<br /><br />Is shuttle safe from ice chunk? Press-Telegram, California 08:19<br /> <br />2 to 4 hours old <br /><br />Panel questions readiness of space shuttle Billings Gazette, Montana 08:15<br /><br />Registration site: NASA faulted on shuttle safety The Philadelphia Inquirer, Pennsylvania 08:12<br /><br />Registration site: Shuttle's flight readiness not complete, says panel Times Leader, Pennsylvania 08:07<br /><br />Panel: NASA shuttle still not safe Los Angeles Daily News 08:04<br /><br /> <br /><br />NASA falls short on safety plan for shuttle St. Petersburg Times, Florida 07:01<br /> <br /> 4 to 6 hours old <br />Panel Tepidly Backs New Shuttle Safety Measures The Tampa Tribune, Florida 06:10<br /><br />Nasa 'failed' on shuttle safety BBC 05:52<br /><br />Everyone Hopes Shuttle Flies Safely The Texas City Sun, Texas 04:39<br /><br />Canadian astronaut eager for shuttle mission CTV.ca 04:35<br /> <br /> 6 to 8 hours old <br />Registration site: Panel Calls Shuttle Ready, Wavers on Safety Moves ]] /> The Washington Post 04:09<br /><br />NASA fails to meet three safety requirements to resume shuttle flight: panel People's Daily 03:56<br /><br />NASA falls short on 3 shuttle safety issues - panel The Star Online 03:04<br /><br />Shuttle-Arbeitsgruppe sieht noch Mängel Yahoo! Deutschland 02:20<br /> <br /> Earlier Today <br />Expert Panel Says US Space Shuttle is Safe to Fly Voice of America News 02:16<br /><br />Shuttle `ready to fly` for July launch

 

[nacnud]

I wouldn’t say that the BBC article is completely negative, it just mentions that all the recommendations of the CAIB haven’t been met and the main one that still needs work is the repair of damaged TPS, all of which is true. It goes on to say that the these ‘failures’ shouldn’t delay the RTF.<br /><br />Nasa 'failed' on shuttle safety<br /><font color="yellow"> Mona Klotz<br />at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida.<br /><br />The US space agency (Nasa) has not fully met Columbia accident investigators' requirements to safely return the shuttle fleet to flight.<br /><br />That is the assessment of an oversight panel that has been monitoring the agency for two years.<br /><br />Despite the finding, panel members said they had no qualms about Nasa launching shuttle Discovery next month on the agency's first mission since the 2003 Columbia disaster. More<br /></font>

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Sure, but add in the report on BBC News 24 - did you see that? Wow, that was a bit off the mark by them.

 

[nacnud]

Sorry don't have TV at work <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" />

 

[shuttle_rtf]

X-Box, two TVs and a good sound system...........at work <img src="/images/icons/tongue.gif" />

 

[lunatio_gordin]

if i could drive i would so go down there by myself <img src="/images/icons/tongue.gif" />

 

[najab]

><i> have a press pass already. . .I don't need a working visa...</i><p>Be sure to double and triple check that, the US has some funny visa rules for members of the media. Even if you are freelance, you may need to get an "I" visa.</p>

 

[spacester]

Marcia Dunn . . . <br /><br /><img src="/images/icons/rolleyes.gif" /> <img src="/images/icons/rolleyes.gif" /> <img src="/images/icons/rolleyes.gif" /> <img src="/images/icons/rolleyes.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Quote gained earlier today from Griffin in Washington at the House Science Committee that "there's nothing contained within them that would prevent the shuttle's return to flight. We'll launch July 13."

 

[marslauncher]

I really cant wait, I flew to the States 2 days after Columbia perished, I was so upset, for both the US Space Program and for the loss of life, I flew in to Houston after the plane observed a moments silence flying over Texas.<br /><br />I wish the crew of Discovery God Speed and a safe flight, boy I cant and I bet they cant wait until July 13th<br /><br /><br />For all Humankind.<br /><br />John Cooke

 

[grooble]

2 weeks!

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Well said, Sir.

 

[ozspace]

najaB, thanks for the concern. The accreditation was approved back in April (before the first planned launch window) and I did at the time get an email from PAO requesting my travel dates to clarify the kind of visa that I was using. At first I thought this was going to be a problem but reread and they just wanted to be sure I was there under the Australia/US visa waiver arrangement.<br /><br />I gave them the dates and approval arrived a few days later. I have been 100% honest with my situation and so assume I don't need to do anything further.

 

[ozspace]

Sounds very promising.....Griffin to Congress:<br />"We look like we're in pretty good shape there and I think based on what I know now, we're ready to go," <br /><br />http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-06-28-voa56.cfm

 

[marslauncher]

Watching National Geographic Seconds from disaster... very tearful, I am so upset right now, just hope nothing else happens in the time it takes to complete the ISS.

 

[marslauncher]

Just brought back all the memories of "Columbia Com Check" "Columbia UHF Com Check......"<br /><br />People will think I am silly but it is very upsetting to hear the same thing you associate with a disaster...<br /><br />COME ON DISCOVERY!!! GOD SPEED!<br /><br />

 

[lunatio_gordin]

i was waiting all day to see it, and missed three fourths of it. Oh well, i'm sure it will be on again, they love repeats on NG...