Columbia broke up during re-entry
From CNN:
Space shuttle loses contact
NASA lost communication with space shuttle Columbia and its crew of seven shortly before its scheduled landing on Saturday. It was unclear whether there were any other problems.
Yes, space shuttle lost. CNN
People have reportedly heard “BANGS” at the same time the shuttle was lost. I predict the shuttle has blown to smitherenes. Prayers with the families of the 6 americans and 1 israeli.
Yeah when I saw this Kalpana Chawla chick I was quite impressed.
The shuttle was coming down at 5 miles/sec !!!
But how can they lose it??? I don't understand.
Just hope that somehow all the astronauts managed to eject from the shuttle . In case they are dead my condolences to their families . It is such a tragic event and a setback for the American space program .
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*Originally posted by cat-woman: *
Yeah when I saw this Kalpana Chawla chick I was quite impressed.
The shuttle was coming down at 5 miles/sec !!!
But how can they lose it??? I don't understand.
[/QUOTE]
It's a bit like this. The heat shield designed to protect the shuttle from the extremely high temperatures encountered at the time of re-entry into the atmosphere, malfunctioned/broke up and the shuttle was unable to bear the extreme temperature . Subsequestly it also broke up . Also, the ions generated at the surface of the fast moving shuttle were responsible for the breakdown of communication b/w the shuttle and the command centre .
They say the shuttle's altitude was too high for it to make a successful emergency landing.
Shame.
Americans as usual are pointing at terrorist plot. But I doubt it. it must be horrible to be in space and lose control with earth. But I heard they have some contingency plans to bring the shuttle back to earth even without intervention from NASA.
From cnn article above
**Security had been tight for the 16-day scientific research mission that included the first Israeli astronaut.
Ilan Ramon, a colonel in Israel's air force and former fighter pilot, became the first man from his country to fly in space, and his presence resulted in an increase in security, not only for Columbia's January 16 launch, but also for its landing. Space agency officials feared his presence might make the shuttle more of a terrorist target. **
This is sad. A huge setback for NASA. A huge setback for future study of space.
30 people died in train crash in Zimbabwe today too, unfortunate but whats so special about this that it warrants a thread?
really? gosh I never knew. Why don't you open a thread about that Thap?
You didn't know because it's relatively unimportant.
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*Originally posted by Thap: *
30 people died in train crash in Zimbabwe today too, unfortunate but whats so special about this that it warrants a thread?
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The significance of the event perhaps?
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*Originally posted by Kareem: *
This is sad. A huge setback for NASA. A huge setback for future study of space.
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My sentiments exactly.
Post-86 there was a 2/3 year pause in space exploration ( correct me if i'm wrong ). This being the 2nd such tragedy, it's going to be tuffer winning the hearts n minds of the public - i mean will they want to fund such activity?
Moved to C&A to avoid all the "political" whining.
Thap: With all due respect, people die every day (8 died in a train accident in sydney yesterday actually), but space shuttles dont break up regularly. These 7 people will be the first to die in the upper atmosphere, which IMO is a significant event for the scientific community.
As for the space exploration, I dont think this will have that big of an effect. Maybe we'll see lesser manned/shuttle flights but thats about it. I wonder if the americans will look towards russians for a vehicle.
Agreed@ who--me.
Russias no longer a superpower, i bet it can't muster up enough $ to feeds it's own citizens let alone fund HUGE projects like space explorations etc. I think the Russian days of being the pioneers in space exp. died with Mir and i don't think they'd wana risk it now anyway.
I reckon you're right. Less manned flights in the forthcoming future but if the world does forget Challenger/Columbia then perhaps they will pick up where they left of some years down the line...
I guess we can forget the manned flight to the Red Planet for a while now.
You can't make an omlette without breaking eggs.
There is no great significance to this event.
Why is this in "Career and Academics"? What does it have to do with that? Have the administrators lost their minds?
I guess they will scrap the Educators in Space program now.
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*Originally posted by Imdad Ali: *
Why is this in "Career and Academics"? What does it have to do with that? Have the administrators lost their minds?
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dunno..who-me seems to be sleepy today.. this thread is open in many sections and in world affair where it belongs..