NASA Loses touch with Shuttle Columbia

[Cyber E.]

From Yahoo News

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA lost communication with space shuttle Columbia as the ship soared over Texas several minutes before landing Saturday morning. It wasn't immediately clear if there was a problem with the shuttle.

Fearing the worst, NASA ordered flight controllers to pull out emergency procedures and ordered them to retain all their records.


Columbia was aiming for a touch down at 9:16 a.m.


It was at an altitude of 200,700 feet, traveling at 12,500 mph when mission control lost contact. There was no further communication and no further tracking data.


Reporters at the landing strip were ordered away 7 minutes after the scheduled touchdown with still no sign of the shuttle.


In 42 years of human space flight, NASA has never lost a space crew during landing or the ride back to orbit. In 1986, space shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after liftoff.


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 Jan. 16 launch, but also for its landing. Space agency officials feared his presence might make the shuttle more of a terrorist target.


On launch day, a piece of insulating foam on the external fuel tank came off during liftoff and was believed to have struck the left wing of the shuttle. NASA said as late as Friday that the damage to the thermal tiles was believed to be minor and posed no safety concern during the fiery decent through the atmosphere.

[jeffrey 228]

My mom just told me about this, and I currently am watching this too see if it was terroist related or War related.

[Cyber E.]

UPDATE

From Yahoo News

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA declared an emergency after losing communication with space shuttle Columbia as the ship soared over Texas several minutes before its expected landing time Saturday morning.


The shuttle was carrying the first Israeli astronaut and six Americans, and authorities had feared it would be a terrorist target.


Fifteen minutes after the expected landing time, and with no word from the shuttle, NASA announced that search and rescue teams were being mobilized in Dallas and Fort Worth areas.


Inside Mission Control, flight controller hovered in front of their computers, staring at the screens. The wives, husbands and children of the astronauts who had been waiting at the landing strip were gathered together by NASA and taken to separate place.


Columbia was at an altitude of 200,700 feet over north-central Texas at a 9 a.m., traveling at 12,500 mph when mission control lost contact and tracking data.


NASA, while not saying the shuttle had exploded, broken up or crashed, warned that any debris found in the area should be avoided and could be hazardous.


There were reports of debris seen falling.


In 42 years of human space flight, NASA has never lost a space crew during landing or the ride back to orbit. In 1986, space shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after liftoff.


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 Jan. 16 launch, but also for its landing. Space agency officials feared his presence might make the shuttle more of a terrorist target.

On launch day, a piece of insulating foam on the external fuel tank came off during liftoff and was believed to have struck the left wing of the shuttle.

Leroy Cain, the lead flight director in Mission Control, had assured reporters Friday that engineers had concluded that any damage to the wing was considered minor and posed no safety hazard

[Ben]

Well, could this get any worse.

[Cyber E.]

UPDATE

From Yahoo News

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Columbia apparently disintegrated in flames over Texas on Saturday minutes before it was to land in Florida. TV video showed what appeared to be falling debris, as NASA declared an emergency and warned residents to beware of falling objects.


Six Americans and Israel's first astronaut were on board.


In north Texas, people reported hearing "a big bang" at about 9 a.m., the same time all radio and data communication with the shuttle was lost.


Television stations showed what appeared to be flaming debris falling through the sky, and NASA warned Texas residents to beware of any falling objects. NASA also announced that search and rescue teams were being mobilized in the Dallas and Fort Worth areas.


Inside Mission Control, flight controllers hovered in front of their computers, staring at the screens. The wives, husbands and children of the astronauts who had been waiting at the landing strip were gathered together by NASA and taken to secluded place.


"A contingency for the space shuttle has been declared," Mission Control repeated over and over as no word or any data came from Columbia.


In 42 years of U.S. human space flight, there had never been an accident during the descent to Earth or landing. On Jan. 28, 1986, space shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after liftoff.


On Jan. 16, shortly after Columbia lifted off, a piece of insulating foam on its external fuel tank came off and was believed to have struck the left wing of the shuttle. Leroy Cain, the lead flight director in Mission Control, assured reporters Friday that engineers had concluded that any damage to the wing was considered minor and posed no safety hazard.


Columbia had been aiming for a landing at 9:16 a.m. Saturday.


It was at an altitude of 207,000 feet over north-central Texas at a 9 a.m., traveling at 12,500 mph when Mission Control lost contact and tracking data.


Gary Hunziker in Plano said he saw the shuttle flying overhead. "I could see two bright objects flying off each side of it," he told The Associated Press. "I just assumed they were chase jets."


"I was getting ready to go out and I heard a big bang and the windows shook in the house," Ferolito told The AP. "I thought it was a sonic boom."


Security had been tight for the 16-day scientific research mission because of the presence of Ilan Ramon, the first Israeli astronaut.


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 launch, but also for its planned landing. Space agency officials feared his presence might make the shuttle more of a terrorist target.


Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's office said it had no immediate comment.


Columbia's crew had completed 80-plus scientific research experiments during their time in orbit.


Just in the last week, NASA observed the anniversary of its only two other space tragedies, the Challenger explosion, which killed all seven astronauts on board, and Apollo space craft fire that killed three on Jan. 27, 1967.

[Sandro]

I was just watching the news myself. I bet the Palestinians are having a field day with this one. Truly sad.

[SlyBoy]

EinBebop, this is serious!

[Patrick Bateman]

An administration official said the shuttle's altitude -- over 200,000 feet -- made it "highly unlikely" that the shuttle fell victim to a terrorist act.
At least there's that. I hope it's true that it was just an unfortunate mishap, and not a pre-calculated attack.

[Cyber E.]

I believe Apollo was referring to your "Election" quote, Ein.

[Reed Richards]

this is terrible

the shuttles are POS at this point

the technology is beyond old as are the craft themselves

If Congress would ever PROPERLY fund NASA again, tragedies such as this would be averted more often.

NASA needs more money to finally finish developing the next Generation Shuttle. The technologies they want to implement are not only safer, but more efficient. Especially things like the linear aerospike engine.

[Cyber E.]

Another *UPDATE*

From Yahoo News

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The space shuttle Columbia lost contact with NASA minutes before landing on Saturday and was feared crashed in Texas with seven astronauts on board.


Television images showed several white trails in the blue sky, which could be an indication of the breakup of the shuttle because normally only a single trail is visible.


The U.S. space agency said it scrambled rescue units to search in Texas for the shuttle and its astronauts, which included the first Israeli, Col. Ilan Ramonan.


NASA lost contact at around 9 a.m. at a height of 207,000 feet, about 16 minutes before Columbia's scheduled landing at Kennedy Space Center.


NASA mission control in Houston said, "Any debris that is located in the Dallas Forth Worth vicinity should be avoided and may hazardous due to the toxic nature of propellants used on board the shuttle and should be reported to local law enforcement authorities."


Columbia is NASA's oldest shuttle and first flew in 1981. This is the most serious incident involving a shuttle since the 1986 crash of the space shuttle Challenger, which carried seven astronauts.


"I kept tracking the shuttle and then it appeared to be breaking up," Dan Archer told local television from Waco, Texas.


Another witness told CNN: "We heard a rumble. It eventually got to where our house was shaking ... it lasted for about a minute and a half. It felt like you lived with a railroad in your backyard."


Weather forecasters predicted clear skies and light winds at the Kennedy Space Center.


The shuttle's seven astronauts had closed out science experiments conducted on the 16-day mission, which had been deemed a success by scientists and NASA officials.


Columbia orbited Earth while astronauts conducted more than 80 experiments on behalf of NASA and the European, Japanese, German and Canadian space agencies, as well as numerous student and commercial investigations. The shuttle did not visit the International Space Station on this trip.


Scientists announced unprecedented results, including calibrated photographs of unusual electrical phenomena above thunderstorms, record-setting flame balls used to study pollution and production of a cancer tumor so large that scientists back home will have to dismantle the growth chamber to retrieve it in one piece.

[Ajax]

I woke up just after it happened. I was going to watch Recess but I see this, the Shuttle exploding. This is truly sad. I am at a lost of words. :confused:

[Andy Mancini]

Seventeen years almost to the day of the Challenger tragedy, this happens. The first thing that popped into my head was terrorism as well, but I seriously doubt that either Hamas or Al-Queda are rocket scientists. Looking at the events now, I see no possible way that any foul play could have occired.

[Tommy Lawson]

Very, very sad. There's no way the astronauts could have survived that, at 200,000 feet above the Earth and going faster than Mach 5. It's a sad day indeed.

Do you believe in superstitions? The number designated for this mission was STS-113, one-thirteen. How prophetic that before this mission started, there was talk of changing the mission number because of past history (Apollo 13, taking off at 13:13). Also, it's very sad that this occurred within the same week anniversaries of Apollo 1 and Challenger. I remember hearing how the crew remembered the victims of Challenger just a few days ago onboard the shuttle. Very, very sad.

[James]

Harks back to Challenger in the 80's. It will be a mishap, not terrorism. This is the sort of occassional mishap you get with space travel. Tragic.

[SilverKnight]

This is a tragic day. I was only three when the Challenger exploded, but I remember the footage, and it still makes me wince when I see it. The poor astronauts; they had no chance of surviving.

I was watching CNN, and they said that the shuttle's first mission was back in 1981. I hope I don't sound callous, because this is really sad, but for a ship that's older than I am, this somehow doesn't come as too much of a shock. This is a terrible tragedy, but I wonder if it was a sort of obselete mechanism in the ship itself that may have caused the problem.

[The Man in Black]

:eek: I just heard about this when i got back home. It's awful! ......poor crew ppl.....

[Reed Richards]

the interesting thing is that all the articles always talk about the shuttle in the present tense. the shuttle no longer IS-- it WAS

I would hate to be at mission control today at NASA-- too much emotion for anyone to handle

[Singin' Stray Cat]

A friend of mine just said this is a horrible thing to wake up to. I agree, especially for the family members of the crew. :(

[PowerZord]

it's horrible! i heard it 25mins ago. cnn in spanish inetrrupted all of the local channels i was wathcing yugioh when my sister went running to the living room where i was wathcing yugioh and she told me look at this!. i saw a little bit then finished wathcing yugioh and i tuned msnbc. and i went to www.msnbc.com and saw the report. it's horrible.

[EinBebop]

NASA has just officially announced that the Columbia is gone.

[EDIT]My mistake... it was apparently a senior official who did not want to be identified that made this statement. Press conference in an hour.

[ZorBrak]

:( I still think terrorists could have been involved....regardless of the shuttle's altitude (over 200,000 feet ). The Israeli member of the crew, Col. Ilan Ramon...I mean he led the aerial assault against Saddam's nuclear reactor in 1981....so I don't know what to think. However, at this point, I myself am not ruling out terrorism. :eek: :( I'm not saying it was a missile or anything....could have been sabotage I don't know, but it seems kinda fishy to me.

[Parallax]

Man this is horrible. :( I agree that it couldn't of been a terrorist attack though. The only way that could have happened is if they had sabotaged it before it launched.

[Dee]

Originally posted by EinBebop
The CNN website is now reporting that the shuttle has broken up. :rolleyes: Later this afternoon, they're also going to declare a winner in the 2004 presedential race.


that joke is a little tasteless

[Dee]

http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/space/02/01/shuttle.columbia/index.html


I just got out of creative Writing class and I was horrified to find this awaiting my arrival to the computer in the lab.

I'm heart broken. Inside, Ive always been a fan of the space program because the lure of space has fascinated me.

It's particularly bitter to see this happen to the Space Shuttle Columbia because of the astronauts, the work they did, and the fact that Columbia returned to the fleet and is a grand veteran of space travel dating more than 20 years. The Ship recently had gone through an updating overhaul to bring it in to the 21st Century and she was thought to have many more voyages into space.

I was born in 1982, a year after Columbia joined the fleet at Nasa, and It's been one of the few things that's always been around. We always heard about the latest travels of Columbia on the news and I always thought it was so cool. All through school, we did projects and in science, learned about space and many things that happened, including the 1986 Challenger disaster. Just yesterday, I saw Columbia's crew live on the news, and it's hard to see what happened between then and now.

I hope Nasa can investigate and isolate what caused this destruction, and prevent this in the future and prove that they didn't go into space for study, and die in vain on reentry.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

Is using antique shuttles a common practice with NASA? Cripes, you wonder if they did some proper "updating" or not.

But then, I'm no expert on space technology. We'll see.

[Chris Sanders MSX]

It blew up. :(

[Dee]

Originally posted by EinBebop
I am offended that anyone would think I would make a joke about a situation like this. I would certainly not try to find humor in this situation. It was a statement of sarcastic bitterness levelled at CNN for their presumptious reporting.

How could you even see the need to be sarcastic at any time when something like this happens? No news group is the matter. It's the event thats important.

[Dee]

Originally posted by Leaping Larry Jojo
Is using antique shuttles a common practice with NASA? Cripes, you wonder if they did some proper "updating" or not.

But then, I'm no expert on space technology. We'll see.


Columbia had a complete overhaul and updating roughly last year when it had it's 20th annaversary. It was the safest of any in the fleet after it's update.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

I see what EinBebop is getting at. The media is always sensational and superficial when it comes to bad news.

[EightOh]

I woke up two hours ago, and I'm still in shock. :(

[Sue_Jackson]

This is such a tragedy. :( I almost don't know what to say except that I pray for those 7 astronauts, and their families. :(

I've been watching the footage and the coverage on the news, and it's humbling to watch.

I was only 12 when the Spaceshuttle Challenger blew up, and I remember exactly that moment. I remember I was home from school (I think I was sick or something), and I ws watching the launching of the Spaceshuttle Challenger. Then, before a our very eyes, the Challenger horrifically explosed. It was so shocking and horrible. I'll never forget that. Those poor astronauts, and one of them was a teacher. So, sad. :(

When I heard about this tragedy this morning. I was like, oh no not again. :(

I again pray for those astronauts and their families, and anyone whol else was involved with that mission. :(

[The Old Maid]

Today is a tragic day for all peoples, and especially for the nations who lost astronauts. Columbia carried Israel's first astronaut. Also among the lost are a female scientist who immigrated from India, a female doctor (a former submariner), and a Black scientist. Nowadays this diversity is commonplace, and I am grateful that a generation has grown up who never knew it any other way. For space is meant for all dreamers to follow their dreams.

The first shuttle Enterprise was named by national petition in 1977 after the fictional Star Trek space vessel. (This tribute was especially appropriate because actress Nichelle Nichols was one of the most vocal proponents of NASA's diversity program.) Enterprise proved to be heavier than NASA wanted. Therefore the more nimble Columbia was constructed to take its place. Columbia was followed by lighter vehicles still, Challenger, Discovery, and Challenger's replacement the Atlantis. Whereas Enterprise was the elephant, Columbia the Clydesdale, and the others were Morgan horses, they'd all get you where you were going. The reason you don't see Enterprise in service is that the shuttles are chosen according to the load they could carry, balanced against how responsive they were and how easy to use.

I was at work when Challenger exploded. I'm sorry to see another. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families.

[Supreme]

People, if you don't get what EinBebop is saying, maybe you should ask for clarification. I see everyone who gripes about his post(s) take one or two words completely out of context. I was pretty P.O'ed myself when CNN was talking in certainties, rather than speculating on the actual data that they had.

Also, check out the TIME of his original post. That was before anyone knew anything, so you can kinda see where he's coming from.

Remember: read and understand before you comment. We don't need to compound the tragedy.

[EinBebop]

I've removed all of my earlier posts on the subject of CNN's presemptious reporting on this topic as some people assumed that my sarcasm was intended to make light of the situation.

My sarcasm was an emotional response to CNN alone reporting that Columbia had definitely broken up more than an hour before NASA made statements of any kind to that effect, prematurely dashing the hopes of millions hanging onto such. I am NOT rescinding my criticism of CNN, only the humorless sarcasm with which the statement was made.

[Narfpinky]

I'm stunned....It feels like Jan '86 all over again.
My sympathies to the famies of the crew members.

[Zapages]

truely a sad day... I hope their souls are blessed and are in peace. :(

[Spike Mcdougal]

Originally posted by Zapages
truely a sad day... I hope their souls are blessed and are in peace. :(

Yeah.....

Correct me if i'm wrong but wasnt the Columbia the very first shuttle bulit

[EinBebop]

The first space shuttle was the Enterprise in 1977, but I don't think it ever went into space. Columbia was the first shuttle to orbit the earth.

[EDIT]According to this site (http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/resources/orbiters/enterprise.html), Enterprise was built "only as a test vehicle and not for space flights", so Columbia is, in that sense, the first real space shuttle.

Here also is information on Columbia (http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/resources/orbiters/columbia.html) and mission STS-107 (http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/missions/sts-107/mission-sts-107.html), already updated regarding today's events.

[EightOh]

Yeah. Enterprise was the first shuttle, but I believe it was heavier than they wanted, so it never went into orbit.

[Jade_GL]

I woke up and turned on the TV around 11 eastern time this morning and saw all of this on TV. What a tragedy. It's absolutely frightening to think of what those astronauts had to endure. Though I am not a religious woman, I will certainly keep the astronauts and their families in my thoughts for weeks to come.

I'm glad that the news is trying to debunk the terrorism angle. All the experts say that it is pretty much an impossibility from the information and circumstances that they are aware of. The shuttle was at a very high altitude and could not have been reached by any sort of missile. I appreciate the news trying to point out something that is unlikely and telling the audience so. We wouldn't want conspiracy theorists to make this into something which it isn't. We should only be looking at facts and thinking about the astronauts at this time.

However, the news is also jumping the gun on a few facts, which always seems to happen when a large, important news story happens. I can't say I approve of some things that they've said, but I think in this time of confusion, I can at least understand any mistakes that could be made.

I'll continue watching the stories all day. Man, I really am sending my thoughts and hopes to the astronauts, families and heart broken people today.

[Barb Gordon]

Me too Jade. Just woke up a little while ago, enjoying a lazy Saturday morning, and this is the first thing I see. Absolutely tragic. For a moment I thought they were recounting the terrible events of the Challenger, and suddenly I realized this was all new. Can't believe it's the first one they've lost in re-entry, how tragic for Nasa, the nations involved, and most importantly the families of those astronauts. Kinda scary for me, who was born after all the tragic events of the Challenger and Apollo. The current new generations are now having their own version with the Columbia. For others, like my mom who remembers what happened to the Challenger, this came as quite a shock. What a blow for us all, a truly tragic day.
I also don't think this had anything to do with terrorism. These things happen in Nasa. I think people are just on their toes because we haven't had such a tragedy like this in many many years, but it's happened before, and I wish the news wouldn't jump on the possibility of terrorism so fast. Those poor families, the last thing they need is the chilling thought that this was done on purpose.

~Barb

[Pihlajamaa]

This is not only a bad day for America, but for the entire world.

Although, it would be just as imprudent to rule out terrorism in any form. The shuttle definitely wasn't shot down, but there could have been sabotage. The chances for that are increased with the presence of an Israeli astronaut.

I hope it's not terrorism, though. That would be the last thing anyone needs.

[James]

Originally posted by Pihlajamaa
This is not only a bad day for America, but for the entire world.

I hope it's not terrorism, though. That would be the last thing anyone needs.

If it was Terrorism it would have been a strike on it's assent not it's return. Not to say that the shuttle programme has never been considered a target. On my return from Florida in November 2001 the security increase was due to a Shuttle launch and the fear of another plane attack, but to create a situation like this intentionally is unlikely.

If you look at NASA's cutbacks due to budget costs of the station programme, you can see it's more likely to be some mechanical oversight than a terrorist attack. I notice this is the direction the media is taking it. Responsible for once, I was worried this was going to be cruelly milked to create lots of terrorist speculation .

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

I just hope there's nothing more behind this. There are wild theories already floating in my head that would be improper to voice.

[J.E.Smith]

The one thing I hated was the fact that on MSNBC, they said the had some spokesperson from NASA on the phone, and but I think it was just some janitor or some other guy playing a prank because he said "someone shot it down because Howard Stern was on it."

Stupid emotionless jerk.

[Pihlajamaa]

Yikes, that is demented. I remember something like that happened during a plane crash as well.

[Calico]

:(

This is just very sad, and shocking. I can't believe I've lived long enough to see two space shuttle disasters, but there is always an inherent danger in these missions. All the astronauts will be remembered as heros. May they rest in peace.

[Weatherman]

As a junior member of the NASA family, I can say that this is a very sad day for the entire NASA family, and indeed the world. The impact from this is going to be felt for a long time to come.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the astronauts involved in this tragedy. :(

[ccffan01]

C'mon terrorism, give me a break. If terrorists can pull that off they can pull of anything.

[Sandro]

Did you think something like 9/11 could've happened back in August of 2001?

[Achika]

This is all pretty sad.

It's sad people died.

It's sad idiots think this is terrorism.

But what can I say?

February sure has started off with a bang!

[EightOh]

Originally posted by ccffan01
C'mon terrorism, give me a break. If terrorists can pull that off they can pull of anything. Exactly. If someone had the capability to shoot down an object that's 200,000 feet high and traveling at 12,000 miles per hour, well, they've developed something far superior to anything any government has.

[Pihlajamaa]

Originally posted by EightOh
Exactly. If someone had the capability to shoot down an object that's 200,000 feet high and traveling at 12,000 miles per hour, well, they've developed something far superior to anything any government has.

Hasn't it occurred to you that it could have been sabotaged before launch? They don't have to shoot down everything. At this point in history, it would be pretty foolish to rule out terrorism right now.

EDIT: I have altered the first sentence because it was unduly harsh.

[Storm]

This is sad news indeed. I hope NASA resolve this before History repeats itself for the third time. Rest In Peace to all the victims.

[Artemis]

I did not like this wake up call. They were suppose to return home and this is what happened. It's like getting into a deadly car crash when you were a mile away from getting home. Truly a tragedy.


Addendum:


Does the word "sabotage" mean anything to you? They don't have to shoot down everything. At this point in history, it would be pretty foolish to rule out terrorism right now.

It is very odd it happened as soon as they were coming home. I wouldn't rule out terrorism entirely either, but I'd still say it's highly unlikey. I feel sorry for the victims.

[randomguy]

Sabotage seems unlikely to me. Access to the shuttles pre-flight is so incredibly limited that sabotage would require a government conspiracy of epic proportions. Terrorism is out of the question, or at least in my opinion.

Anyways, definite tragedy. What's really frustrating to me is that I was just talking about this a couple of days ago with a buddy of mine... both of us are huge fans of the space program, and both of us were of the opinion that we needed to phase out the older model space shuttles, or something terrible would hapen.

Like I said in another thread, I could see it going down earlier this morning, and it's definitely something that's going to haunt me for awhile. It seems that periodic accidents are the price we're going to have to pay as long as we continue to take on as bold an endeavour as space travel. My heart goes out to anyone personally involved.

[Turtle25]

I woke up this morning to the tragic news. It was very surreal at first, at least before what had happened sank in.

But here's an interesting article: http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/space/02/01/shuttle.columbia.history/index.html . I still doubt that age was a factor, even less so for Shuttles than it is for commercial airliners (many in the average fleet are more than 20 years old). Columbia was on its 28th mission, on components that were designed for 100. But we'll have to wait and see...

[Outlander00]

I was already awake, but did not hear about it until my mother had said something. It is a tradegy, indeed, but from they are reporting it could be from carelessness of mission control and techs when they launched. If it is the case that it was damaged prior to launch, I would consider it to be neglegent on ground controls part.

[Livewire]

I was so saddened when I heard this news. I’d like to extend my condolences to the crew members’ families. May God give them comfort and strength during this tragic time.

[Catlover]

This is very sad :( . I agree with Zorbrak, this sounds like terrorism to me. What a coincidence that it blew up over texas, where Bush was born, and that it had the first isralie(s/p) astronaut in space. But still this is very sad indeed. :(

[Cyber E.]

Also part of the debris went over "Palenstien" (sp?), a city in Texas?

But, is this a secret plot of terrorism against American?! Not really.

[Bartak123]

Ok...

I really don't want to piss people off and I'm not intending this message to be a flame bait.

but....I don't understand

I don't understand why this is so especially tragic. Is it tragic because the space shuttle is an American symbol?

[Enrique]

First to clarify a couple things... this mission was STS-107, not 113 as someone on the first page said. Also, this is actually NASA's third catastrophy... today, in 86 with the Challenger, and in 1967, when the command module of the first Apollo craft blew up in flames, killing it's crew of 3.

I think in the end, everything will point to all the budget cuts NASA has suffered over the last few years. As a result, all NASA labs (JPL, Langley, Goddard, etc.) have been forced to adopt a new NASA credo, that of "Faster, Better, Cheaper." Well, as a film student, I've learned the truth about "Faster, Better, Cheaper" regarding business, and usually life; you can have two, ANY two, but not all three. Today more than proves this. The shuttle Columbia was built during a time when NASA had relatively endless funding, but since then replacement parts and hardware upgrades have been done with faster and cheaper parts, produced and installed by faster and cheaper technicians.

I work at JPL, which is a NASA lab managed by CalTech. Every cafeteria on lab has televisions, half with CNN or Fox News, and the other half with NASA's on television feed, so over the last week or so, at lunch I'd watch live shots from the shuttle, of the various experiments and whatnot. Granted, I had no clue what they were doing up there, but it was still interesting to see.
I've just received a bulk email from the president of JPL inviting everyone to a meeting on Monday to remember the crew of STS-107, which I'm definitely attending.

[TimTwoFace]

It's sad to see something like this happen to ANYONE, not just because it was the space shuttle. All accidents and crashes and such make it onto the news, so why should this be any different? These are still real people with real lives and real families, the only difference is that a space shuttle is about as large-scale as a "traffic accident" can get. Otherwise, it's the same thing, and is worthy of our sympathies. That's the bottom line.

-Tim

[Outlander00]

Originally posted by Enrique
I think in the end, everything will point to all the budget cuts NASA has suffered over the last few years. As a result, all NASA labs (JPL, Langley, Goddard, etc.) have been forced to adopt a new NASA credo, that of "Faster, Better, Cheaper." Well, as a film student, I've learned the truth about "Faster, Better, Cheaper" regarding business, and usually life; you can have two, ANY two, but not all three. Today more than proves this. The shuttle Columbia was built during a time when NASA had relatively endless funding, but since then replacement parts and hardware upgrades have been done with faster and cheaper parts, produced and installed by faster and cheaper technicians.


Youre absolutely right, especially since this is the third instance where that credo (since its inception in the 90's) has done nothing but cause trouble for various projects and missions. When it comes to these kinds of operations, cheaper is never better because you never know what can and will go wrong.

[Bartak123]

Originally posted by TimTwoFace
It's sad to see something like this happen to ANYONE, not just because it was the space shuttle. All accidents and crashes and such make it onto the news, so why should this be any different? These are still real people with real lives and real families, the only difference is that a space shuttle is about as large-scale as a "traffic accident" can get. Otherwise, it's the same thing, and is worthy of our sympathies.

-Tim

I do not understand why the loss of these astronauts is more important (publicity etc) than the loss of 7 other people in a car accident. I understand it is worthy of our sympathies but why more so? I highly doubt 4 pages of response or the amount of media coverage would be given to a car accident. The response to this tragedy does not only stem from human loss...

[randomguy]

It's true that publicizing these 7 deaths as being more tragic than the hundreds which occur in the US every hour might be a sort of partial hyposcrisy. But it's also true that Americans, criticize it though they may, see a lot in the space program. I think that, at its core, it's a poetic expression of American ingenuity and hope. It means a lot of things to a lot of people, which is why it's so tragic when it falters.

[Cyber E.]

I believe more people are upset because unlike a car or airplane, a Space Shuttle is built for searching and exploring outside of the Planet Earth and to bring people where they could never go by their self's. They sometimes spend years working on these "Space Cars" so when a accident such as this happens people begin to wonder "What exactly are they doing? How can something like this happen?".

Or atleast that is what I think, so don't use my word for it.

(Sorry for using 50's lingo in my post. :D)

[Jade_GL]

Just in case you see this on some page, or read it in an email, I thought I should debunk it here first.

http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/hoaxes/shuttle.asp

It amazes me that someone has already created this trash. Ugh, just let people handle the tragedy without turning it into some hoax. This gets me mad.

Well, you heard it here first. :D

[Discloner]

Originally posted by Bartak123
I do not understand why the loss of these astronauts is more important (publicity etc) than the loss of 7 other people in a car accident. I understand it is worthy of our sympathies but why more so? I highly doubt 4 pages of response or the amount of media coverage would be given to a car accident. The response to this tragedy does not only stem from human loss...

Because NASA and it's space program is a symbol of the USA's pioneering spirit...no matter how much people don't realize it.

The diffrence from space travel and Car travel is signifigantly diffrent! Some one gets in a car accident when they are driving from point A to point B. Space travel isn't someone traveling from the super market to home...Its gathering data that is vital to the future of the human race, and the understanding of the unknown.

As one of the many new channels I watched today said, Space travel also symbolizes unity. This shuttle in particular, since there was in Isralie aboard. As the Internation Space station continues to grow, it too stresses the fact that wars, predjudice, and hatred toward other contries is something to be left on earth, as we are all united in space.

You can't look at the news brodcasts today and tell me that watching pieces of the ship fall down from the sky didn't affect you in some way. 7 people lost they're lives in a horrible way, and they did it while working for the future of man kind. Thats whats diffrent from the ship blowing up...and a car crashing.

[zmanjz]

I believe that what makes more tragic than an average car accident is it's meaning.

The US Space program is one of the things that our government does for the betterment of all Mankind and Science.

Exploration and Advancement. These are things which elevate us above the animals and above barbarians.

All my life I have loved the exploration of space. To from this single small planet and find out what is beyond.

It is one of the true Heroic Callings: Fire Fighters, Doctors, Teachers, Scientists, Explorers, ... Astronauts.

The Idea of Being an Astronaut combines so many of the Ideals which make up the Heroic Callings that the loss of an astronaught means a loss of our best and a loss for the future.

The men and women who are astronauts are not only Intelligent, but their audacity and willingness to take the risks of space travel places them on a whole other level from those who want mankind to better themselves but are not willing to work for it.

There are people who complain, and then there are those who go forth and change the world.

That is why this is worse than If I died in a car wreck next week. Although my death would be a loss for my family, the deaths of these astronaughts and all they represent is a loss that shakes the very foundation of the future.

[RZetlin]

I just heard the news a few hours ago.

At first I thought they were talking about the Challenger tragedy in the 1980s, but then I realize that this is a current spacecraft! :eek:

[Caped Crusader]

This is very sad news. My prayers are with the families of the crew.

[Barb Gordon]

It's tragic when anyone dies, but more tragic when those people die trying to further enrich the lives of so many others, and to discover new things for all mankind. NASA pioneers, and the astronauts undertake some of the most dangerous jobs around. They do what some may say mankin should never do, not only fly, but leave the security of earth to travel beyond the stars. Driving a car or flying a plane is risky enough. Going into space is indeed just way beyond those two things in the risky category. People put hope in NASA, it is a symbol of hope because it embarks on so many new frontiers, so much of America's past, and even the world's past, is tied to going to space, and it will always be painfully tragic when something goes awry in that endeavor. If people can't find how this is more tragic then an everyday car crash after all everyone's said, then unforuantly they'll just never get it.
It does seem rather odd to me that they'd use such an old craft, and would be sad if someone they discover it was the main reason for this mishap. I'm astounded at how much debris there is still intact. The scorched earth that they called the "debris field" was scary enough, but they're finding big large, almost whole peices littered all over Texas that once belonged to the shuttle.
Spooky enough....January/February just doesn't seem to be NASA's prime time to do anything. The tragedies of Apollo and Challenger both occured in January, the 27th and 28th, respectively. And now the Columbia on the 1st of February. So terribly close to each other.
When I saw the footage of the debris raining down what was left of the shuttle, all I could think about was President Reagon's words for the Challenger: " We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they
prepared for the journey and waved goodbye and slipped the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of God. "
I think I'll remember that more then President Bush's "...did not return safely to Earth, yet we can pray that all are safely home...". Then again, not everyone has eloquence so touching as what Reagan said so many years ago.
For America, well this just sucks. Honestly, would fate or whatever just take it easy on us for once?! We keep getting hit so hard, I'm quite honored to be in such a country that can survive so much tragedy. I know other countries have had it much worse, but America is so young and we haven't had that many big tragedies in a long time. It's like suddenly we're getting everything bad with interest thrown at us lately for all the peace we've had for so long.

~Barb

[TimTwoFace]

Originally posted by Bartak123
I do not understand why the loss of these astronauts is more important (publicity etc) than the loss of 7 other people in a car accident. I understand it is worthy of our sympathies but why more so? I highly doubt 4 pages of response or the amount of media coverage would be given to a car accident. The response to this tragedy does not only stem from human loss...

I think Barb pretty much covered it. That, and these people were extremely brave because they knew the risks of this occupation.

They were exploring the boundaries of what human kind can reach, and pushing those back further; the real tragedy is that they were so close to home before the shuttle exploded. (Side note: How did it happen, anyway?)

It doesn't matter what country these people were from. Anyone that is worthy of going into space and willing to take that risk for the betterment of mankind deserves to be treated as a heroic figure, just for volunteering themselves to be put into that position. It's like the military, in a sense; all soldiers are heroes because they put their lives on the line for their country, and so does anyone in the space program.

So Bartak, just be considerate here and let everyone who is grieving to grieve in peace. It's not very friendly or polite to just go out there and ruffle up the feathers of everyone here. You have your opinions, that's fine, but if it upsets someone here, just let it go. There's no sense in repeating it.

Thank you.

-Tim

[Discloner]

Yahoo News Claims that they probubly won't rebuild the shuttle.

Yahoo Report (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20030201/ap_on_sc/shuttle_future_2)

IMHO, I think they should. No they don't have the resources or the money, but I still think that they should rebuild the ship. Now we're down to like 3 shuttles...and the next set of shuttles is some 10 years off... I dunno. I just think that the loss of one ship and it's crew is enough to damage the pioneering spirit, so the rebuilding of another could fix or re-afferm that.

Just my thoughts.

[Digu Volz]

I'm really sorry that these people lost their lives. Just yesterday I was sending someone a (belated) birthday greeting and I couldn't help but wonder if any of them could have had birthdays to celebrate soon or anything else in their lives. Such wonderful moments lost forever...

[TimTwoFace]

Rebuild the shuttle? Rebuild the shuttle from what? It's scattered clear across Texas, now. I say collect the pieces and do some type of a memorial (as I hope NASA did with the previous two losses in the past).

...does this mean that NASA has no shuttles at all any more? I know those things don't come a dime a dozen, but still...there must be more. (Sorry, I'm not terribly knowledgeable on how extensive their resources are, forgive my ignorance.)

Thing is, when things like this happen, it only makes us stronger and more determined to overcome these challenges. That's human nature, and what makes us great.

-Tim

[Discloner]

Originally posted by TimTwoFace
Rebuild the shuttle? Rebuild the shuttle from what? It's scattered clear across Texas, now. I say collect the pieces and do some type of a memorial (as I hope NASA did with the previous two losses in the past).


No. I do not think they should rebuild the ship using the pieces that have been scattered clear across Texas. Like the article linked states, after the Challenger blew up they build the endevour to take it's place. This is what I was reffering to them doing.

Also Like you a memorial is a must, and will definitly be done.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

I don't agree with Bartak like...90% of the time (no offense, Bart :p), but I do agree that, while ill timed at the moment, he does bring up a valid point about the media's tendency to put value on human lives, depending on their occupation and/or social standing. It is a subject worth exploring sometime later, I think.

For this news story, it is undoubtedly a tragedy but I also think that putting undue emphasis on the symbolism and patriotic sentiment of the NASA program over those who died is ALSO wrong. It is a delicate balance--is this a big news piece because of the symbolism, or is it because of the people who perished? And is this any more of a tragedy than other tragedies? These are questions I ponder today and ones that I do every time something bad happens and the media goes into a frenzy over it.

[Sard]

There are 3 shuttles left: Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavor.

I was honored for several years to work for NASA at the John Glenn Research Center in Cleveland during the mid to late 90s (formerly the Lewis Research Center). To date, those years have been some of the best I've ever experienced. The level of ingenuity, resourcefulness, dedication and thirst for knowledge was and is beyond anything I have yet to see.

Today's shuttle tragedy hits doubly hard because of this. The experience and endeavor never leaves you.

My only wish is that those who need comfort now can find it with national support, and our dream to reach the stars never waivers.

[Dee]

Originally posted by TimTwoFace
Rebuild the shuttle? Rebuild the shuttle from what? It's scattered clear across Texas, now. I say collect the pieces and do some type of a memorial (as I hope NASA did with the previous two losses in the past).

...does this mean that NASA has no shuttles at all any more? I know those things don't come a dime a dozen, but still...there must be more. (Sorry, I'm not terribly knowledgeable on how extensive their resources are, forgive my ignorance.)

Thing is, when things like this happen, it only makes us stronger and more determined to overcome these challenges. That's human nature, and what makes us great.

-Tim


Nasa has a few I think because they said it was their safest one after they went through the overhauls. The Shuttles are a very adaptable and useful spacecraft, and I am sure Nasa wont just kiss them goodbye after this. They sure didnt with Challenger, and the spirit to persue knowledge is strong in Nasa, and in our Astronauts.

[Dee]

Originally posted by catlover
This is very sad :( . I agree with Zorbrak, this sounds like terrorism to me. What a coincidence that it blew up over texas, where Bush was born, and that it had the first isralie(s/p) astronaut in space. But still this is very sad indeed. :(

I think thats just coincidence and nothing more.

The ship was travelling at more than mach 18 (18 times the speed of sound) and it was like 200,000 feet up and I dont really think any terrorist would have had the skill do do anything like this. Im sorry, but there is no way they'll even get a mention of credit from me. Terrorists are pathetic and theyre all too stupid to pull anything like this off.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

Originally posted by Delia97
I think thats just coincidence and nothing more.

The ship was travelling at more than mach 18 (18 times the speed of sound) and it was like 200,000 feet up and I dont really think any terrorist would have had the skill do do anything like this. Im sorry, but there is no way they'll even get a mention of credit from me. Terrorists are pathetic and theyre all too stupid to pull anything like this off.

Terrorists are pathetic, but they aren't stupid. Don't underestimate them.

That said, I agree, this doesn't look like terrorism from where I'm sitting. There are already too many logical theories from NASA staff that strongly suggest this was an accident or an error.

[Barb Gordon]

NASA has had disasters before, and they were due to unforutante mistakes and errors. We all know that if this had happened before 9/11, or if 9/11 had never occurred, that only some over tense person would suggest terrorism as a possibility. NASA would just chalk it up to another accident, which it is. Yes, we have to deal with the fact that the world is different, and that when anything bad happens, terrorism will be the word on everybody's lips. But not mine, though, I just see it as another accident, now one of four NASA's had.
Interestingly enough, the poem that Reagan quoted for his speech regarding the Challenger, was written by a young pilot during a test flight who was inspired to write the poem while soaring 30,000 feet. He was only 18. Sadly though, only three months after that he was killed in a collision with another plane. He was only 19. Seems this poem just really sticks with aviation.

~Barb

[Joe Wagner]

This is truly a tragedy. I saw this story this morning and could only think about the Challenger shuttle all of those years ago. My prayers go out to the families of these brave astronauts as well as the nation of Israel - who have today lost a hero. Even with the elections in Israel 36 pages out of a 40 page newspaper were dedicated toward Ilan Roman.

-Joe!

[EinBebop]

Originally posted by Delia97
The Shuttles are a very adaptable and useful spacecraft, and I am sure Nasa wont just kiss them goodbye after this. They sure didnt with Challenger, and the spirit to persue knowledge is strong in Nasa, and in our Astronauts. There's a big difference here: when the Challenger disaster happened, Discovery and Atlantis were both less than three years old, now they're pushing twenty.

It's an issue of perception. I'm sure they're upgraded to be state-of-the-art (budget issues aside), but when you tell people they were built in the '80's, the visual is that you're trying to continuously upgrade a Commodore 64.

Now I'm sure that based on their current budget, there's no plans for new shuttles. But if the U.S. becomes pro-space and demands that the program move forward, I'll bet that there are some in Congress who would love the idea of the first new space shuttle in so many years.

[TimTwoFace]

Despite this disaster, I hope the US and the handful of other countries with space programs will still continue their efforts in the space program. If history has proven anything, it's that it's not human nature to give up and keep achieving what was once unthinkable.

-Tim

[Ben]

I personally believe they should reactivate the X-33 program before they think about building a new shuttle. Whatever is done it has to make sense from a scientific and logistical standpoint, not simply be something to bolster the public's feeling of security. Otherwise we're just wasting money.

[Weatherman]

Actually, the entire shuttle fleet underwent a modernazation program over the last few years to make them sutible for docking with the ISS and to extend their life span for a number of years to come. The entire avionics system was replaced along with alot of other parts. Also, Columbia was unable to dock with the ISS as it was too heavy and was coming down to its final missions in the not to distant future before the events of today.

EDIT: addition, the X-33 program was declared unsalvageable last year. There was no way to make it work without a massive infusion of money that just isn;t going to happen.

As for why this makes for bigger news then, say, 7 people dying in a car wreak is becuase of the symbolism we atach to the space program as a nation and the way in which the astonauts serve as a living embodiment of that spirit. And especially within the NASA orginazation, this is like losing a brother or sister in many way as everyone in the orginazation basically works to make this possible, and all of that work and the dedication it took to make it happen just vanished in an instant, along with our brothers and sisters in exploration. I think Barb and zmanz summed it up best for the people who don;t work inside the NASA family, and Enrique covers whatever I was unable to for the family.



EDIT: Blahhhhhh..........-_- F.Y.I it's spelled NASA, not Nasa. All of the letter should capitolized as it's an acryonym for National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Just an F.Y.I. ;)

[SilverKnight]

Originally posted by Achika
But what can I say?

February sure has started off with a bang! Excuse me, but seven people are dead. Keep the rude, smart ass remarks to yourself, please.

[Enrique]

Originally posted by Weatherman
F.Y.I it's spelled NASA, not Nasa. All of the letter should capitolized as it's an acryonym for National Aviation and Space Administration. Just an F.Y.I. ;)

actually, it's the National Aeronautics and Space Administration ;) just an FYI, right?

some friends keep asking me what it's gonna be like when i go to work monday... and i remember last august when the contour spacecraft broke into 3 pieces when the rockets were ignited to take it out of earth orbit, the lab was pretty quiet... i can't imagine what it'll be like after today.

[Patrick]

Originally posted by SilverKnight
Excuse me, but seven people are dead. Keep the rude, smart ass remarks to yourself, please. :( I was sad to watch this on the news. I live in Haughton just near the Bossier, Shreveport and Texas line and on the news here Shreveport NOAA Weather pick it up on the radar

[Outlander00]

If anything, they will build a new one and designated something else, like they did for the replacement of Challenger (which I dont remember one of the remaining 3 it is).

[Barb Gordon]

The news actually mentioned the pathetic twats that tried to sell peices on eBay. And the fact that 74 people have been hospitalized for touching the debris...so hopefully the ones that were trying to sell it are getting the due. Actually they also mentioned it was a federal offence to disturb something that's under investigation and that, if taken to court, they could be charged 10 years in jail. Good, they deserve it and then some. Thought it was rather nice for the Pope to say something. Even more thoughtful that the Russians, our fellow space buddies, went out into the freezing cold to pay tribute to our fallen astronauts.

~Barb

[Drachentöter]

I watched the coverage of this incident instead of my usual Saturday morning fare. It saddened me greatly. I feel it is a great tragedy to lose seven talented and courageous astronauts. I almost choked up when they played the "wake-up" soundbite to which Laurel Clark responded.

But, to be frank, I'm starting to think the media is beating this issue to death. Twenty-four horus later and all that is spoken about on Meet the Press and other news magazines is the Columbia, the Columbia, the Columbia. Let it rest.

One good thing that came from this, was a speech that will go down in history by our very own President Bush. Most of time time I don't support his stances, but the way he delivered this address actually touched me. It's somewhat heartening to notice that tragic moments like these bring people together, despite their differences.

[EinBebop]

Originally posted by VortexInfinite
But, to be frank, I'm starting to think the media is beating this issue to death. I think it's hard for the media to do otherwise. People who turn into the news ARE interested in hearing what the latest findings and such are, and when people wake up tomorrow morning, they're going to want to hear what your daily social commentators have to say about it, whether you're talking about Howard Stern, or Rush Limbaugh, or Regis Philbin. If they fail to say anything at all, they could actually lose a portion of their fans who either perceive them as insensitive or are dependent on them for how to think.

[Jade_GL]

I wish there could be a balance. I find it annoying when the news is all the same news in a constant loop. That is what I dislike after all big events, especially when there is no solid information. They just take the facts they know and put them on over and over.

I certainly understand why they have to do that, but unfortunately, it makes me change the channel. I would rather get the important news bulletins and whatnot, without having to hear about the same five facts over and over.

But I completely see why people need this information. They want to grieve, they want to know what is happening. So I say just pop in a movie or change the channel if the media is annoying you, then just put it back on after an hour or so and see if anything new has developed.

[Enrique]

i see pros and cons to media coverage, regardless of the topic. sure, when some hot story comes out they hammer it senseless, repeating the same info every 10 minutes because nothing new's been discovered. then for the following days they keep repeating the new info they find.
but one of the NASA officials at the NASA conference yesterday made it clear... it's sad that it takes a tragedy to make this country "care". the only reason the general public now knows why space flight is so dangerous or why NASA has suffered severe budget cuts is because of yesterday's tragedy... otherwise, no one would care, and no one DID care until yesterday. now the government, outside of NASA, is making all this noise about increasing budgets and getting the "right people" to investigate... it's disgusting to know it takes death and destruction for this country to do anything about a situation.
if it weren't for the media hammering the same info into our heads every 5 minutes, people wouldn't care. that's a sad fact.
i give one prime example... does anyone care what happened to the man who supposedly spread the anthrax virus last year? because frankly, coverage of the anthrax situation just stopped after that, and i doubt the general public knows what happened, and i doubt they remember to care.

[Discloner]

Originally posted by Enrique
[B... does anyone care what happened to the man who supposedly spread the anthrax virus last year? because frankly, coverage of the anthrax situation just stopped after that, and i doubt the general public knows what happened, and i doubt they remember to care. [/B]

I didn't even know they found out who did it...I thought it was an ongoing investigation. :confused:

[Chosen Raven]

I woke up that morning and my family told me there had been a huge explosion( it broke up right above us, and could be heard for miles around). Some debris flew threw the window of our optomitrist and landed on a secretary's desk(luckily no one was there at the time). Debris is still falling all over here causing injury to some. They don't seem to be reporting the more gruesome facts(someone found an arm, and there was a torso found in Louisiana) which is probably a good thing in the interest of the family. We can only pray for the comfort of the families of those who died.

I see how terrorists could possibly try something before launch, but I think it highly unlikely. This is purely an accident.

[wonderfly]

Guys, I swear I heard the following bit of news on the radio yesterday afternoon: I was listening to the hourly news update from ABC news on the local station, and they said something just like this:

"And the official response from the Iraqi government to today's tragedy is this: "We are blessed, for the Vengeance of God has struck again on America"

Makes you sick huh?

But I haven't heard that statement on the news ANYWHERE again since. I bet the media hushed it up.


Originally posted by Sandro
I was just watching the news myself. I bet the Palestinians are having a field day with this one. Truly sad.

You actually voiced what I was contemplating in the back of my head yesterday. On Sept. 11th, one of the darkest memories I have of that day was seeing on the news footage of Palestinians dancing in the streets in celebration. That left me with a disgust I have yet to relieve myself from. You expect celebration from sicko's like Saddam and Osama, but to see your average Palestinian dancing in the street? Sickening. So I expected to see more reaction of praise from the Muslim world. ANd no, I don't believe all Palestinians are evil :mad: ...alls I'm saying is that footage on 9/11 left me sick. :(

[TimTwoFace]

Originally posted by wonderfly

"And the official response from the Iraqi government to today's tragedy is this: "We are blessed, for the Vengeance of God has struck again on America"

Makes you sick huh?

But I haven't heard that statement on the news ANYWHERE again since. I bet the media hushed it up.


It IS sick to see just how twisted the logic of the Iraqi people is. I don't know about American channels, but Canadian news channels were publicizing those remarks as often as anything else pertaining to the crash. I'm just surprised that some journalists aren't trying to twist these comments into the "smoking gun" that the UN inspectors are looking for. I hate the media sometimes.

-Tim

[Weatherman]

Not the people, their leaders who terrorize the people into submission.

[Barb Gordon]

Actually, I had hear or seen a report concerning a statement like that myself. I just totally stopped reading/listening because I was so utterly disgusted. I find it so amazing that out of literally thousands of debris, from specks to over 3 foot long peices, that not a single person was hurt. Really just amazing. Anyone else find it just a bit unnerving, spooky rather, that they found that astronaut's patch? I mean, it was completely fine, possibly a little singed, but not ripped or torn or with half of it missing. Like it was just ripped off of it or something, I can't beleive it survived so well.

~Barb

[TimTwoFace]

I just ignore comments like that. It has nothing to do with Iraq, so why the hell should we care what the Iraqi people feel about a project that has nothing to do with them? If it was Russia or some other country with high stakes in the space program, then maybe it's worth a listen. :)

-Tim