Who would be an Astronaut?

[Lou Girardin]

It looks like the Shuttle lost another thermal tile on launch. :blink:
I sure wouldn't want to be them right now. Ground control are trying to work out if it can manage a re-entry or if they'll need to mount a rescue mission.
But then they've grounded other shuttles too. What'll they send up?

[Motu]

. What'll they send up?

Give me the details - I'll have a shot at it...

[Sniper]

Oh well, their fault.

[k14]

What'll they send up?
Yeah thats what I was wondering, another space shuttle so that then they have 2 crews stuck up there?? The time constraints alone must be enough to count out any rescue mission. They can't have much food, water etc to be able to live for very much longer than the actual mission timeline. It would take atleast a month if not more to sort out a new shuttle etc to go up and "rescue" them.

Or do the russians or something have a spacecraft that can go up and get them? Major disaster either way imo.

[Ixion]

Give me the details - I'll have a shot at it...

Mr Motu is very good at send ups

[bugjuice]

watching it a couple of times via the wonderful intermaweb, the tile looks like it came off the external fuel tank, not the shuttle, and didn't go anywhere near the shuttle. In fact, I thought it could more likely be part of the release mechanism from the two smaller solid fuel tanks.. But then again, I'm not a space rocket dude.. I just post on a forum, thinkin I know shit.. which is pretty much all I do know ;)

Also, bird strike on the nose cone too.. Think that beats Spanks '200+kmh' bird strike from last year..

[sAsLEX]

Yeah thats what I was wondering, another space shuttle so that then they have 2 crews stuck up there?? The time constraints alone must be enough to count out any rescue mission. They can't have much food, water etc to be able to live for very much longer than the actual mission timeline. It would take atleast a month if not more to sort out a new shuttle etc to go up and "rescue" them.

Or do the russians or something have a spacecraft that can go up and get them? Major disaster either way imo.

umm theres that little thing called the space station, it has been said they could shelter in there.

as fot buggy, I heard a report saying that the front lading gear cover had been impacted which is the hottest part on re-entry

[k14]

umm theres that little thing called the space station, it has been said they could shelter in there.
Yeah thats where they were going in the first place wasnt it?? It doesn't have an infinite supply of food on it etc so they can't stay there forever.

[placidfemme]

*doesn't see the point in going to space...*

Bummer, for the families sake I hope they get them back alive...

[onearmedbandit]

They had it planned that if there was a problem with re-entry, they would send Atlantis up within a month to rescue the crew from the ISS. And it would seem, as someone said, that a heat-tile came off from around the nose-gear area which is one of the hottest areas upon re-entry.

Or so I've read.

[Drunken Monkey]

I'd still go for it, despite the risks. Must be that pioneering spirit or something. Plus, chicks dig astronaughts. Well if they don't, they should.

[placidfemme]

I'd still go for it, despite the risks. Must be that pioneering spirit or something. Plus, chicks dig astronaughts. Well if they don't, they should.

why cause they go to space?

blah astronaughts are boring... chicks dig bikers... and rich people lol

[Waylander]

Yeah thats where they were going in the first place wasnt it?? It doesn't have an infinite supply of food on it etc so they can't stay there forever.
They can send unmanned craft to the station. Have it supplied with food, water, air, shit to fix the shuttle and whatever else.

[sAsLEX]

*doesn't see the point in going to space...*


Aiming for space has advanced technology and has the opurtunity to increase our understanding of the world and ourselves through study unaffected by gravity. You got a teflon pot at home??


Other problems also challenge NASA and the ISS. A Russian Soyuz spacecraft was supposed to be launched on October 28. It was to bring a fresh emergency escape capsule to the ISS. However, a crewless version of the Soyuz had recently exploded shortly before the scheduled launch. The Russian space agency investigated the cause. After this delay, the Soyuz spacecraft was launched successfully, and the emergency capsule was delivered safely on November 1.



Oh and the space station has escape modules dont it, they could just jump in them. Some russian has parachuted from out space before so theres an idea :yes: :cold:

[Indiana_Jones]

I love it how the media blows it out of proportion :)
They make you feel like the astronaughts have no idea about the dangers involved :weird:
But it's their call, Doubt you'd get me up there lol

-Indy

[pete376403]

What I saw on the telly was 1. a large chunk of ice from the external tank, which didn't hit anything, and 2. possibly a tile.
From what I've read, all previous missions have had trouble with tiles falling off. The last mission had damage to a wing leading edge from ice impact damage and that was more that the craft could stand.
This time the crew are goign to do an inspect while in space and they have a repair kit - however NASA are not certain how well it will work.
Finally I don't think anyone becomes an astronaut because of the job security

[James Deuce]

Atlantis is on the pad ready to go for a rescue.

Unlike Columbia, Discovery can get itself to a higher orbit and dock with the International Space Station.

I'd be an Astronaut in flash. It's statistically safer than riding my bike to work.

[Ramius]

The RSA (Russian Space Agency) Can deploy a ship from Earth to rescue the astronauts, should the need arise. I don't think they would risk sending up another American ship if indeed the front Landing gear tile was impacted. And if it has, you can probably kiss NASA's space program goodbye.

[James Deuce]

*doesn't see the point in going to space...*

Bummer, for the families sake I hope they get them back alive...

Because without exploration and conquest human civilisations die. Without space exploration you wouldn't be posting on an Internet forum. Neither would you have sticky sportsbike tyres, non-stick frypans, polyester fabrics that don't look like shit, and so on. There are a plethora of benefits.

The moment we start looking inward as a society (and I believe we have been for at least 30 years, coinciding with the post-modern revolution) is the moment that each person in society develops a "f__k you" attitude to his fellow man. Crikey! Seems to have happened, doesn't it?

I don't buy the crap I hear that the money would be better spent feeding the world either. Excluding the money spent on the various space programmes, the world has enough food to feed everyone 20 times over. But the US consumes 80% of everything produced in the world all by itself. A big chunk of the world's agri-produce gets dumped.

[James Deuce]

The RSA (Russian Space Agency) Can deploy a ship from Earth to rescue the astronauts, should the need arise. I don't think they would risk sending up another American ship if indeed the front Landing gear tile was impacted. And if it has, you can probably kiss NASA's space program goodbye.

Atlantis is on the pad ready to go.

[Lou Girardin]

I'd be an Astronaut in flash. It's statistically safer than riding my bike to work.

Is that per vehicle?
Per 100,000 km's travelled?
Or per capita?

[James Deuce]

Is that per vehicle?
Per 100,000 km's travelled?
Or per capita?

Lol. Probably all.

[riffer]

A good mate of mine's big brother is booked on the next shuttle flight.

Interestingly enough, he's a mechanical engineer originally.

Could be just the job for him.

On ya Piers! It would be an interesting twist on Hollywood if the poor Merkins had to get saved by a pom. :rofl:

[N4CR]

AFAIK from a little while ago when I took intrest in space shuttles and what not (still do but to a lesser extent) a tile falling off is normal, infact they usually loose a couple. But as said nose cone is NOT the place you want to loose them... its the frontmost point where all the air gets split, creating heaps of friction at about 20,000kmh and this equals plasma enveloping the shuttle. Which is very friggen hot :devil2: Even ghost rider ain't that fast.

[vifferman]

So Jim - if you've 're-dorkulated' presumably you de-dorkulated somewhere between initial dorkulation and the re-dorkuation?

Could you tell me how the de-dorkulating is accomplished, so I can attempt it?

[Ramius]

Rescue Plan, however, this was written before NASA said no more shuttles were going up until the continual problem of falling debris is fixed.

http://www.freep.com/news/nw/shuttle13e_20050713.htm

Allegedly, it is going to take over a month for any rescue mission, should the need arise.

[Wolf]

NASA has made amazing advances with its space program - back in the old "Apollo" days they could only kill three people at a time, now with the space shuttles they kill 'em seven at a time.

I am actually pro-space exploration - I just don't want it being done by those Quasi-Military Retards at NASA

[James Deuce]

Rescue Plan, however, this was written before NASA said no more shuttles were going up until the continual problem of falling debris is fixed.

http://www.freep.com/news/nw/shuttle13e_20050713.htm

Allegedly, it is going to take over a month for any rescue mission, should the need arise.
There are degrees of ready. As far as Nasa is concerned that is a hurried launch procedure. Atlantis WILL fly if it needs to. Don't confuse Publicity with process. The Russians would need to launch 4 Soyuz capsule missions, plus deploy the Soyuz "escape" capsule already on the Space Station to effect a rescue mission. No way NASA would pay that bill until the REALLY has to.

[James Deuce]

NASA has made amazing advances with its space program - back in the old "Apollo" days they could only kill three people at a time, now with the space shuttles they kill 'em seven at a time.



And they only killed three during the Apollo programme. That was due to a combination of factors that were investigated and addressed immediately. And as cold as it sounds at least three of the NASA Space programme would probably have died on active military duty if they weren't working for NASA. Death rates in "peace" time naval and land based air forces were orders of magnitude greater than they are now.

As unpalatable as it sounds, the military was the place to recruit people with mechanical, scientific, and flight skills to deal with the early solid state stuff combined with electro-mechanical and hydralic systems that made up a space craft. Jim Lovell and Buzz Aldrin manually navigated the Gemini 12 space capsule using a sextant, something that was thought impossible, due to their combined navigation, astrophysics, and "seat-of-the-pants" flying skills. There is a great deal more to the "average" NASA astronaut, even today, than we give them credit for. Russian cosmonauts get to sit in a steel coffin on a preprogrammed flight plan in a craft that can only be guided from the ground.

[Wolf]

And they only killed three during the Apollo programme. That was due to a combination of factors that were investigated and addressed immediately. And as cold as it sounds at least three of the NASA Space programme would probably have died on active military duty if they weren't working for NASA. Death rates in "peace" time naval and land based air forces were orders of magnitude greater than they are now.

As unpalatable as it sounds, the military was the place to recruit people with mechanical, scientific, and flight skills to deal with the early solid state stuff combined with electro-mechanical and hydralic systems that made up a space craft. Jim Lovell and Buzz Aldrin manually navigated the Gemini 12 space capsule using a sextant, something that was thought impossible, due to their combined navigation, astrophysics, and "seat-of-the-pants" flying skills. There is a great deal more to the "average" NASA astronaut, even today, than we give them credit for. Russian cosmonauts get to sit in a steel coffin on a preprogrammed flight plan in a craft that can only be guided from the ground.


Should've put a PT flag on my post.

Back in the Apollo days they also managed to save the lives of the Apollo 13 crew with innovative thinking and good old fashioned "just make do" - using essentially stone-knife-and-bearskin technology.

I know why they used the Airforce personnel and it was a good choice, I just have a low opinion of the US Military (specifically its commanders and ranking officers - it's pretty much how I feel about all modern military commanders, really)

[White trash]

I was gonna be an Astronaut, but they told me to shave my mullet and I was, like, outta there!

[Lou Girardin]

I was gonna be an Astronaut, but they told me to shave my mullet and I was, like, outta there!

The first man to wheelie a shuttle.
One small step for mankind, a fucken large leap for hoons.

[Waylander]

The first man to wheelie a shuttle.
One small step for mankind, a fucken large leap for hoons.
Just imagine what he could do if they put him on the moon with one of those moon buggy things.

[Ixion]

*doesn't see the point in going to space...*

Bummer, for the families sake I hope they get them back alive...

Cos it's THERE. Have ye no imagination ?

I can't think of ANYTHING that could compare with being able to go into space.

Except landing on another planet.

Quite seriously, if I had the chance of trying to reach another planet (or even the Moon) , even if it was a certain death sentence ("we can send you, but we can't get you back"), I'd jump at it without hesitation.

I can't imagine any experience that could compare with looking UP at the sky and seeing Earth!

One of the most profound moments in my life was listening to the "live" broadcast of the first Moon landing. It made me feel immensely humble , and immensly proud to be human.

I reckon those astronauts are the luckiest people alive, just to have that chance.

[Kickaha]

I am actually pro-space exploration - I just don't want it being done by those Quasi-Military Retards at NASA


Which was the reason for the X Prize competition
http://www.xprizefoundation.com/

[Biff]

If things really do appear to have gone pear shaped they'll bed down in the International Space Sation for a while, then they'll launch Atlantis and attempt to rescue them. It's good to see that NASA have finally got their collective arses together and have something resembling a contingency plan for such an event as this. It's a shame such a plan didn't exist before Columbia took off.

Hang on, that leaves one crook shuttle left in space. I wonder if there's an intergalactic AA service?


I was gonna be an Astronaut, but they told me to shave my mullet and I was, like, outta there!

Nah mate, they were just concerned you'd get the shuttle caught in a side wind while pulling a mono on the landing strip and wreck it. :whistle:

[Dafe]

The Space Shuttle is currently 2 hours from docking at the ISS (International Space Station) where the crew will them assemble highly detailed photos of all door and bay seals and the Temperature plate. They will then send these images to earth via the stations KU band satellite radio.

If you go to the following link, you can tune into a 24 hour live video feed and live shuttle audio chat.

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html

[Motoracer]

For me, going to space has always been a big childhood dream... Maybe they'll have some sort of an arrangment by the time I'm an ol fart for normal, everyday people to travel to the outer space.

[Motoracer]

I was gonna be an Astronaut, but they told me to shave my mullet and I was, like, outta there!

You may be no Astronaut but you'r a Gixxernut. That's almost as special! :Punk:

[Dafe]

For me, going to space has always been a big childhood dream... Maybe they'll have some sort of an arrangment by the time I'm an ol fart for normal, everyday people to travel to the outer space.
Absolutely agree with you there. Aeronautical space travel is our measure of scientific achievements. Would be nice to travel there but can't see it happening anytime soon. Are you guys watching the live NASA fed?

[Dadpole]

[QUOTE=Ixion]

Quite seriously, if I had the chance of trying to reach another planet (or even the Moon) , even if it was a certain death sentence ("we can send you, but we can't get you back"), I'd jump at it without hesitation.


Shall we start a collection?

[gav]

No sense of adventure these blokes, simple really. If they've lost some tiles of the nose, on re-entry do a big hand brakie and just back that sucker in. Backing it in is all the rage isnt it?

[James Deuce]

I It's a shame such a plan didn't exist before Columbia took off.



Columbia was a "mule". It was exactly the same as the first Shittle built, Enterprise, and had lower spec main engines and attitude thrusters and NO docking equipment.

There was nothing anyone could have done for the Columbia crew. It couldn't boost into a higher orbit to rendevous with the Space Station while a rescue was organised. It should never have stayed in service as long as it did, but you can blame the anti-space exploration crowd for a continous reduction of NASA funding relative to the value of currency and GDP for their deaths. OF course it's much easier for the same crowd to blame NASA's procedures.

[gav]

The Space Shuttle is currently 2 hours from docking at the ISS (International Space Station) where the crew will them assemble highly detailed photos of all door and bay seals and the Temperature plate. They will then send these images to earth via the stations KU band satellite radio.

If you go to the following link, you can tune into a 24 hour live video feed and live shuttle audio chat.

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html
That NasaTV link is awesome, great video !!

[Motu]

Space is not all it's cracked up to be - I don't really like meeting new species,gets tedious after a while.It took me a long time to find a planet with good gravity and the internal combustion engine....guess when the fuel runs out I'll have to start looking again,but really,I like it here all things considered....

[James Deuce]

Just watched the RPM initiation -far out!

[Biff]

Look at the ole girl rotate while the words underneath flies by. Fantastic.

Get on guys, check this out!

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html

[gav]

Pretty cool watching it live, huh? Oh, and no one mention "woman driver" OK? :motu:

[Biff]

Oh, and no one mention "woman driver" OK? :motu:

Not from me mate, after all she did a perfect docking. A guy must have been helping here. :whistle:

[Motoracer]

Space is not all it's cracked up to be - I don't really like meeting new species,gets tedious after a while.It took me a long time to find a planet with good gravity and the internal combustion engine....guess when the fuel runs out I'll have to start looking again,but really,I like it here all things considered....

Cool!! Do you have any special powers Mr Alien, Sir?

[speedpro]

I spent a rather enjoyable couple of hours drinking port in a hot tub with a Honeywell engineer who constructed experiments for the space shuttle. Afterwards trying to find the hotel at 3am, pissed, in the rent-a-racer. Memorable night for a few reasons. Also got dragged to a baseball game, to the reserved Honeywell seats right above the dugout, beer and peanuts provided.

[mashman]

Seems like an appropriate place to put it....

Virgin Galactic spaceship crashes (https://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/world/25403211/virgin-galactic-spaceship-crashes/)