NationStates Jolt Archive

This just in.

The Discovery is set to launch today at 3:51 PM. Though their is a possiblity of storms, this will mark the first time since the Columbia tragedy, the the US launches its shuttles back into space.

This may or may not go off today due to a 40% of storms and this could delay the launch till tomorrow.

The Discovery crew is at the launch pad.

Let us pray that the mission is a complete success.

Here's to the crew. We're pulling for you down here.

I'm kind of worried that a WINDOW fell out last night... :eek:

Dear Lord,

Please keep them safe from errant pieces of foam and keep their O-rings flexible.

I'm kind of worried that a WINDOW fell out last night... :eek:

Yeah, that's troubling. If something that major could break, than that makes me worry about the small stuff (like the O-rings that blew up Challenger).

We need new SS's, and bad. The things are about 15-20 years old.

Dear Lord,

Please keep them safe from errant pieces of foam and keep their O-rings flexible.

Are you praying for astronauts, or porn stars?

MSNBC gives a 40% chance of liftoff due to weather.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8556304/

I agree. That concerned me some but if they didn't cancel the launch....

Hopefully, it'll be a complete success otherwise, the US Space Program is going to be kaput.

If you're interested, there's a live video feed from NASA available from this site: http://www.space.com/

Here's to the crew. We're pulling for you down here.

Yes-holding our breath and hoping all goes well.

I'm kind of worried that a WINDOW fell out last night... :eek:

A window cover fell off. This is something they remove before launch anyway, the concerning thing is that it might have damaged some panels but they checked it over and fixed any problems they found.

Are you praying for astronauts, or porn stars?
A bit of both. Porn stars need prayers too you know. They are very religious people. They are always crying out to the Lord, telling him that they are approaching.

A window cover fell off. This is something they remove before launch anyway, the concerning thing is that it might have damaged some panels but they checked it over and fixed any problems they found.

Ah! See what happens when I listen to NPR before having my coffee?

Breaking News:

Astronauts are now boarding the shuttle.

Ah! See what happens when I listen to NPR before having my coffee?
I did that too...

*Fingers Crossed*

Breaking News:

NASA Scrubs Shuttle Discovery Launch

Breaking News:

NASA Scrubs Shuttle Discovery Launch

It seems as if NASA can never get anything right on time.

I feel bad for the astronauts though; to be so eager to go only to be let down by a NASA guy in a white suit.

I feel bad for the astronauts though; to be so eager to go only to be let down by a NASA guy in a white suit.

I think I'd be just fine with a NASA guy in a white suit possibly preventing myself and my fellow astronauts becoming so much airbourne shish kebab.

We need new SS's, and bad. The things are about 15-20 years old.

Agreed. Tried and tested is all very well - but old and rickety does not go well in something as inherently dangerous as space travel.

Unfortunately, though, it's unlikely there will be any new government-funded spacecraft. Too many bombs to buy. Only the corporations will seriously advance this field, I think.

If I'm hearing this right, 2 of the fuel sensors malfunctioned and they want to make sure everything is right for the launch.

Tomorrow around 3:30 is the next launch window.

A postponement neither surprises no worries me. Just NASA doing its job. Launches are always a dicey proposition and always have been. I have faith that the Discovery will be launched and the the mission will be a success. Nonetheless, having seen the Challenger disaster live on TV and remembering not only the Columbia disater but all the many disasters both minor and major suffered by NASA and the Soviets/Russians I know its not a sure thing. Best of luck and good wishes to NASA and the Discovery crew.

This just in.

The Discovery is set to launch today at 3:51 PM. Though their is a possiblity of storms, this will mark the first time since the Columbia tragedy, the the US launches its shuttles back into space.

This may or may not go off today due to a 40% of storms and this could delay the launch till tomorrow.

The Discovery crew is at the launch pad.

Let us pray that the mission is a complete success.

Just "Discovery"... Shuttles do not have "USS" prefix title.... "USS" is only Naval vessels.... Just as USCGC is coast-guard (United States Coast Guard Cutter)... Non-commissioned Naval vessels manned by civilians bear "USNS" (United States Naval Ship)... Army Corps boats, "USACE"; And ships in service of NOAA simply "NOAA"

Just "Discovery"... Shuttles do not have "USS" prefix title.... "USS" is only Naval vessels.... Just as USCGC is coast-guard (United States Coast Guard Cutter)... Non-commissioned Naval vessels manned by civilians bear "USNS" (United States Naval Ship)... Army Corps boats, "USACE"; And ships in service of NOAA simply "NOAA"

*yawns*

Thank you. I know that. I couldn't resist to tack on the USS! Now do you have something consructive to add or criticize all of my posts?

Unfortunately, though, it's unlikely there will be any new government-funded spacecraft. Too many bombs to buy. Only the corporations will seriously advance this field, I think.
They're busy selling bombs to the government. So far they lack the economic incentive to explore space. Too expensive, too long term.

Perhaps enterprising individuals will, but that'll be very slowly.

I'm kind of worried that a WINDOW fell out last night... :eek:
What happened was a foam sealant around teh window fell out, or something like that, but what worried me msot is what the ysaid in the yahoo article: "the [thing] was secured with tape, we have no idea how it fell." Oh I dunno, it mgiht have to do with securing it with TAPE. Does anyone else get an image of the thing ducttaped to the shuttle, or scotch taped even, cuz you can't get duct tape to let go of ANYTHING -_-

They're busy selling bombs to the government. So far they lack the economic incentive to explore space. Too expensive, too long term.

Perhaps enterprising individuals will, but that'll be very slowly.
I disagree. Due to the MANY large (well would be large if the cost of building and design wern't so high) incentive "prizes" to development of "personal" spacecraft, they are being developed by the dozens with hope of making a profit, several are already in development for the next prize to carry a party of people in the upper layer of the atmosphere near space for some period of time.

Ihatevacations']What happened was a foam sealant around teh window fell out, or something like that, but what worried me msot is what the ysaid in the yahoo article: "the [thing] was secured with tape, we have no idea how it fell." Oh I dunno, it mgiht have to do with securing it with TAPE. Does anyone else get an image of the thing ducttaped to the shuttle, or scotch taped even, cuz you can't get duct tape to let go of ANYTHING -_-
Oh I beg to differ. I got into many sticky situations in which duct tape was put around my mouth while a naked woman was busy going through my things.

'tis the reason I never grow facial hair. :(

Oh I beg to differ. I got into many sticky situations in which duct tape was put around my mouth while a naked woman was busy going through my things.

'tis the reason I never grow facial hair. :(
I said scotch taped because you can hardly get duct tape off anything, much less make stuff randomly detach themselves from it

Ihatevacations']
I disagree. Due to the MANY large (well would be large if the cost of building and design wern't so high) incentive "prizes" to development of "personal" spacecraft, they are being developed by the dozens with hope of making a profit, several are already in development for the next prize to carry a party of people in the upper layer of the atmosphere near space for some period of time.
The prizes aren't enough to cover the cost of development and launch, as you point out. To win the $10 million Ansari X prize the winners had to invest more than twice that. That's hardly an incentive. They hope to make more money selling the technology and tickets to space, but it's still in the air if they'll be successful. And, anyway, you're agreeing with me. These contests don't have big corporations entering them, mostly entrepreneurs and small partnerships. Which was my point.

I think NASA just said Saturday is the new launch day, they'll have to refuel, but the weather should be good after the get everything repaired and replaced.

But I'm not too worried. Discovery lifted off and brought us back to space after Challenger, she'll do the same after Columbia. Though I have heard a rumor that NASA might retrofit Enterprise and make her a real shuttle if they don't get a replacement developed here soon.

But Godspeed and God bless.

BTW, wasn't that tape supposed to be about 2lbs?

I think NASA just said Saturday is the new launch day, they'll have to refuel, but the weather should be good after the get everything repaired and replaced.

But I'm not too worried. Discovery lifted off and brought us back to space after Challenger, she'll do the same after Columbia. Though I have heard a rumor that NASA might retrofit Enterprise and make her a real shuttle if they don't get a replacement developed here soon.

But Godspeed and God bless.

BTW, wasn't that tape supposed to be about 2lbs?

Ahh yes it is Saturday. They were kicking around tomorrow so that was what I posted. Thanks NEVUN! :)

Though to make sure, I did double check the NASA website :p

Ahh yes it is Saturday. They were kicking around tomorrow so that was what I posted. Thanks NEVUN! :)

Though to make sure, I did double check the NASA website :p
No sweat, news changes rapidly after all. ;)

Though I have heard a rumor that NASA might retrofit Enterprise and make her a real shuttle if they don't get a replacement developed here soon. Is that possible? I've heard that Enterprise has essentially been gutted more times than Prometheus*...


[edit: * - the mytical one, that is, not J. Random Real-Project with that identifier, of which I have no knowledge other than a vague recolection that there might have been a nuclear-powered ion-drive with that name...]

Is that possible? I've heard that Enterprise has essentially been gutted more times than Prometheus...
Personally I doubt it, but the rumor has been hanging around since Columbia. Since she's currently a museum peice, it would take a LOT of work to make her flight worthy, especially as she never was meant to be so in the first place.

Breaking News:

NASA Scrubs Shuttle Discovery Launch

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!