OT: Shuttle Breaks Up During Re-Entry

Tenryu · #1 February 1st, 2003, 07:13 PM

Been watching this stuff since about 9am est. It had become so routine we forget how dangerous it is. Sorta like the first Portuguese explorations and Columbus era ventures toward the east.

Rips my heart out to see this sort of thing happen.

We need to build another, and make it bigger and better and safer.

[ February 01, 2003, 17:14: Message edited by: Tenryu ]

Arkcon · #2 February 1st, 2003, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CNCRaymond:
Could it have been a bomb?

Widely considered to be unlikely. The shuttle has very strict weight limits. So it couldn't have been hidden prior to launch. You can pick aprt other terrorist possibilities as well.

Taera · #3 February 1st, 2003, 08:17 PM

this is all very sad. i have not heard about this before. what saddens me the most is that the elite of our space astronauts AND scientists were burned in atmosphere.

Graeme Dice · #4 February 1st, 2003, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CNCRaymond:
Could it have been a bomb?

That doesn't make any sense, as a bomb works just as well if not better if you set it off well before re-entry.

David E. Gervais · #5 February 1st, 2003, 08:37 PM

This is indeed a tragic day in history. I believe that the best way to honor the crew of Columbia (and the crew of Challenger) is to keep NASA and the space program up and running. These fine people knew the risks and choose to accept them in the persuit of science. I salute their bravery, respect their choice and honor there memory. May their dream live long and prosper.

F Te antKe · #6 February 1st, 2003, 09:51 PM

Seven explorers
Fearless into the unknown
Spirits shall not die

Chronon · #7 February 1st, 2003, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David Gervais:
I believe that the best way to honor the crew of Columbia (and the crew of Challenger) is to keep NASA and the space program up and running. These fine people knew the risks and choose to accept them in the persuit of science. I salute their bravery, respect their choice and honor there memory. May their dream live long and prosper.

It is, indeed, a very sad day for the space program, and I couldn't agree with you more David. Let's hope this turns into a wake-up call for a new approach (perhaps the spaceplane or something similar), rather than a rationale for shutting the program down (as I'm sure some politicians will argue).