NASA's Return to Flight Mission July 13!

[Rich Wong]

NASA’s Return to Flight with the launch of Discovery July 13th!
Discovery’s seven-member Return to Flight crew will fly to the International Space Station primarily to test and evaluate new safety procedures.

http://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight/crew/index.html

The STS-114 Crew includes a Polytechnic University alumni Mission specialist Charles Camarda! :cool:

Read more:
http://www.nasa.gov/vision/space/preparingtravel/charles_camarda_profile.html
:)
NYC FIRST Teams wishes them a safe fiight.

[Ryan Albright]

Yes, its great to see that they are finally making it back to space. I am excited to watch the launch from my apartment. All the launches before the disaster in 2003 i watched from my home in Ft. Lauderdale and on a clear day you could see the shuttle. Now that my apartment is only about 25 miles away from the launch site i get a much better view. I will take some pics if its a clear day outside.

My prayer's go out to everyone involved with this launch

Godspeed discovery

[Rich Kressly]

Thanks for posting Rich. I was just listening to the details on the radio and got goose bumps immediately. If you recall STS-107 went down in Feb 2003, right in the middle of build season for us. The impact resonated throughout the world and the FIRST community in profound ways. Even in the immediate aftermath, I was astounded and inspired by everyone's resolve (including the families of the fallen) to solve the problems and continue forward.

Let's all celebrate the return to flight with great enthusiasm, delight in the fact that this important work continues, and take a moment to remember the brave souls aboard STS-107: Mission Specialist Kalpana Chawla, Commander Rick Husband, Mission Specialists Laurel Clark and David Brown, Pilot Willie McCool, Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon and Payload Commander Michael Anderson.

Good Luck and Godspeed to the Crew of STS-114 for a successful return to flight.

[Termite233]

Yes, its great to see that they are finally making it back to space. I am excited to watch the launch from my apartment. All the launches before the disaster in 2003 i watched from my home in Ft. Lauderdale and on a clear day you could see the shuttle. Now that my apartment is only about 25 miles away from the launch site i get a much better view. I will take some pics if its a clear day outside.

My prayer's go out to everyone involved with this launch

Godspeed discovery

yes it's wonderful to live just a few miles from the launchsite. seeing as i live like 12 miles from the cape i get a nice view. i just hope everything happens and goes as planned. no one could blame me for being skepticle after all of the delays...

dont take that as saying its not gonna fly...im just absolutely hoping it does...:)

[Conor Ryan]

Each one of the Shuttles built are engineering feats, reusuable spacecraft capable of taking large payloads as well as large (by comparison) crews into space. I just find it amazing that they are bringing it back into space.

Anyway I was reading up on the improvements they have made to the shuttle and its launching systems. I thought it was pretty cool, heres a list:
-A new Foam Clad Fuel Tank, the original tank damaged Columbia
-Sensors on the Wings to Detect Debris Impact during flight
-A new attachment to the Payloadbay arm, that will scan for more damage to the shuttle "skin" it uses Lasers and High Resolution Camera to scan for it, pretty nifty.
-Also they are testing fabric blankets, chemical washes, and mechanical braces. All 3 of those are going to be used to make repairs done while in space easier and better.
-A digital camera was also installed on the belly of the shuttle to take images while of the craft during lift off. (correct me if i'm wrong, i think it used to have a standard 35mm camera.)(no i don't know how i know that)

i'm sure there are many more upgrades, many of them safety related. I think this may be one of the safest launches of all time, it's just been awhile since one has happened.

[Madison]

A silly question --

If the Columbia was STS 107, why is this STS 114? It appears as if there have been missions labeled STS 108 through STS 113, but they occured before the Columbia accident. Are the mission numbers assigned per shuttle?

[Conor Ryan]

A silly question --

If the Columbia was STS 107, why is this STS 114? It appears as if there have been missions labeled STS 108 through STS 113, but they occured before the Columbia accident. Are the mission numbers assigned per shuttle?

Ok i was a bit confused also, it appears that the mission labeling is not by Craft or in Numerical Order. Its on the Mission Goal.

Heres an Example: STS 1 to STS 4- these were the first flights that Columbia took back in 1979 when it was first delievered to NASA, the title of these missions was the Orbital Flight Test Program


STS 108-109 were missions to upgrade Hubble
STS 110-121 are missions to add on secondary capsules to the International Space Station to finish that before the Space Shuttles are retired in 2010. Missions 110-113 are already completed

[sanddrag]

the Space Shuttles are retired in 2010. 2010!?! That is only 5 (or less) years away! Will we have a capable replacement by then or are we taking a few years off from the space program? Also, what do they plan to do with the shuttles?

[Daniel Brim]

2010!?! That is only 5 (or less) years away! Will we have a capable replacement by then or are we taking a few years off from the space program? Also, what do they plan to do with the shuttles?Old space shuttles make excellent museum pieces. There is one shuttle (Discovery, I believe) in the new Air and Space center just outside of Washington, DC. I'm sure many museums would build a wing around that.

[tiffany34990]

Old space shuttles make excellent museum pieces. There is one shuttle (Discovery, I believe) in the new Air and Space center just outside of Washington, DC. I'm sure many museums would build a wing around that.

supposedly we have plans for a new fleet... but most space shuttle will for sure be added to museums... just part of keeping the history of aviation alive...

[Madison]

Space Shuttle Damaged on Launch Pad (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050712/ap_on_sc/space_shuttle_12;_ylt=AoP0Umcs3kVeN5r3WALm6nQYAjMB ;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl)

I hope this isn't too great of a setback.

[Winged Wonder]

the Space Shuttles are retired in 2010.2010!?! That is only 5 (or less) years away! Will we have a capable replacement by then or are we taking a few years off from the space program? Also, what do they plan to do with the shuttles? yes.. thats very sad. when i realized that was 5 years away i freaked out... im very attached to the orbiters. i've grown up with them.. and i guess i thought they'd last forever. but that is not the case! NASA is creating new launch vehicles that will be safer and more efficient than the Space Shuttle today. there WILL be a replacement, and the 2010 retirement date is still a little fuzzy. it has been said that NASA will wait until we for sure have a replacement vehicle before the Orbiters are truly retired. i wish i could tell you all more... but you'll just have to be patient and see how the next few years play out. we are NOT taking a few years off of the space program... we just got a new Exploration Mission: to the Moon, Mars, & beyond. there is plenty for NASA civil servants and contractors to do in the meantime. Remember.. the Space Program is not just about launching Space Shuttles.. there are our Martian rovers Spirit and Opportunity, there are surveyors of different planets around our solar system... there is even a lot that NASA does here on Earth... like helping out with the environment. and like Daniel said... Space Shuttles will make excellent museum specimens once they are retired. Old space shuttles make excellent museum pieces. There is one shuttle (Discovery, I believe) in the new Air and Space center just outside of Washington, DC. I'm sure many museums would build a wing around that.There are only five Orbiters in the Space Shuttle fleet; none have been retired, and two were lost are no longer in service. Discovery is sitting on the pad right now. Atlantis is prepped for launch and sitting on the pad as well.. it will be the rescue vehile if needed. last time i checked, Endeavor is sitting in the middle of a lot scaffolding... Challenger and Columbia are gone.. so that leaves... Enterprise? Yeah... my brother (Crazybear) works for Camp KSC (formerly known as Space Camp) and he has confirmed that Enterprise is in a hanger in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Virginia. The Museum is in D.C., but its so big that some of it is actually somewhere else in Virginia... thats where Enterprise is. There were 3 "Test Articles" used before the actual Orbiter fleet was created (remember.. each Orbiter costs $1 Billion each).. they were Pathfinder, Explorer, and Enterprise. They were buit as 1:1 scale to the actual Orbiters, and were used to test certain aspects... Pathfinder tested the hardware, Explorer tested equipment, and Enterprise tested the gliding system, and is the closest replica to the actual Space Shuttle Orbiters. :)
Space Shuttle Damaged on Launch Pad (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050712/ap_on_sc/space_shuttle_12;_ylt=AoP0Umcs3kVeN5r3WALm6nQYAjMB ;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl)

I hope this isn't too great of a setback. They got it repaired, and we should be Go for launch. it wasnt that big of the deal.. the Orbiters can handle a bit more than that. its just in the grey areas that you have to be reaaaly careful.

Personally, i'm absolutely extatic about Launch. Tomorrow i'll be working as an escort for some of the Crew's Extended Families. :) i hope it launches.. but if its not ready... i dont want to push it. a whooole lot of people are gonna be dissapointed if it doesnt launch tomorrow though. KSC is expecting over25,000 visitors (rumoured around 40,000!!), and i heard that over 1 MILLION people are expected to visit Central Florida from all over the globe to visit. thats a heck of a lot of people...

i just pray that whatever happens, launch or no launch, everything goes smoothly and no one gets hurt. its all about safety now... and the entire world is putting a lot of pressure on everyone involved in the Program... i'm looking forward to a spectacular launch tomorrow ar 3:51pm, and thunderous applause!

(sorry this post is so long... i'm a geek and extremely excited... and I'm an intern out at NASA KSC for the summer.. so i've been educated. ;))

[spears312]

I am excited to see the return to flight for the shuttles tomorrow. I hope I can pull my self away from my desk to go out and watch (not the best view, but we can still see almost all launches from over here in St. Pete). I hope everything remains green for a safe and successful launch and that the shuttle makes it to space free of problems.

Good Luck and God's Speed to the astronauts.

[Wetzel]

Enterprise? Yeah... my brother (Crazybear) works for Camp KSC (formerly known as Space Camp) and he has confirmed that Enterprise is in a hanger in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Virginia. The Museum is in D.C., but its so big that some of it is actually somewhere else in Virginia... thats where Enterprise is.

Enterprise is in the Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air and Space Museum. (http://www.nasm.si.edu/museum/udvarhazy/) A quick check of the web cam (http://www.nasm.si.edu/interact/webcams/uhc2/uhc2vt.cfm)...yup, still there. :)
The Udvar-Hazy center was built next to Dulles International Airport in Northern Virginia to showcase more planes and space craft that the Smithsonian had no room to display at the museum downtown. There are TONS of aircraft on display there, it's really cool.

Wetzel

[Clark Gilbert]

The shuttle launch today was just scrubbed due to a malfunction with a fuel tank sensor.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8556304/
http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/space/07/13/space.shuttle/index.html

[Anthony]

Yeah apparently one of the four fuel level sensors was malfunctioning and despite having a full tank it was showing empty.

[Termite233]

this is exactly what i thought would happen. well i just hope the launch actually gets rescheduled and happens. i have never hoped so much to be wrong before.
Christina

[tiffany34990]

:( too bad it was canceled... it's been such a long time since we have seen a launch... i can see it from my house..and too bad no more nite launches for a while...

they'll get it fixed and then a new launch hopefully soon before i go off to college and can't see it...

[Lisa Perez]

They're saying that the launch will actually take place this Saturday, or (given that 4 days is not enough time to make needed repairs) during the month of September.

[Termite233]

what Ive heard is that if they can repair it on the launch pad than theyll launch by saturday or next week. if they have to move it back to the hangar then itll be until september before they can launch it. either way ill be outside my house sittin at the pool waiting. there's really nothing like a shuttle launch in mid-afternoon.
Christina

[bob.augustine]

Hey All,

Go to www.spaceflightnow.com (http://www.spaceflightnow.com) to get upto date info on the launch. They normally get the information pretty fast.

Bob Augustine

[mechanicalbrain]

its really cool to see all these people rooting for NASA

[Termite233]

might i ask why we wouldnt root for NASA? NASA is not only our future. It's the future of the world. We need to support them howevber we can.
Christina

[mechanicalbrain]

its not that you shouldn't its that most don't i know plenty of people who don't care and i erks me i think its nice to see people who care alot about scientific advancement.... it gives me renewed hope in our future. :)

[Termite233]

well good lol. I think of the space center as my best friend (especially since its practically in my back yard) lol. and it is nice to see people rooting for NASA. and it is true some people don't care. what we need to do as FIRSTers is spread the word of science and technology to make sure more and more people care and start to cheer NASA on.

[Timothy D. Ginn]

well good lol. I think of the space center as my best friend (especially since its practically in my back yard) lol. and it is nice to see people rooting for NASA. and it is true some people don't care. what we need to do as FIRSTers is spread the word of science and technology to make sure more and more people care and start to cheer NASA on.

I'd say not just NASA (http://www.nasa.gov), but also the largely overlooked CSA (http://www.space.gc.ca/asc/eng/default.asp), ESA (http://www.esa.int/) and others around the world who are seeking out space exploration. It's better for everyone when those organisations work together, anyway.

[spears312]

I was disappointed to see the launch get called off, but of course, its all in the interest of safety. Unfortunately, as of know, I don't think they have found any thing yet, and as far as I understand. It still sounds like a random sort of error, but I hope it can be fixed on the pad. At least I have another chance to watch the launch, I would have missed it due to a bad thunderstorm hanging over my office during the expected launch time. I hope that they can at least resolve the issue before the window closes (the one in August).

[Madison]

Take two.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20050721/wl_afp/usspaceshuttle_050721000524;_ylt=AheeXpxu4gYOt03r_ gkyUjoYAjMB;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl

[spears312]

Glad to see that the launch may happen before the window closes for next month. I haven't found a official release on the exact issues they found and what they fixed, but hopefully, what ever they did, it did the trick and the shuttle is set for a safe and successful launch. I look forward to watching the launch, and hopefully the sun will have moved far enough across the sky so I won't be staring directly at it to try and see the shuttle :p .

[Conor Ryan]

Looks like they pulled their act together

Offical Relaunch Date: July 26
Countdown Begins: 10:34 am EST
Liftoff: 10:44 am EST

One thing though, they still haven't found what caused the fuel sensor mistake. But then again they only need 2 of the 4 to work.

[sanddrag]

But then again they only need 2 of the 4 to work.But they aren't going to launch even if just one of them gives a strange reading. If they lose one, that means they only have one backup. They are not going to take the risk. In the previously scheduled launch, they could have even lost a second one and still launched but they didn't. NASA knows what they are doing with safety and they aren't going to take any chances just to get it up in the air. Everyone wants to see it go up, but no one wants to see it go up and fail, or go up and not return home.

[Ryan Albright]

But they aren't going to launch even if just one of them gives a strange reading. If they lose one, that means they only have one backup. They are not going to take the risk. In the previously scheduled launch, they could have even lost a second one and still launched but they didn't. NASA knows what they are doing with safety and they aren't going to take any chances just to get it up in the air. Everyone wants to see it go up, but no one wants to see it go up and fail, or go up and not return home.

That is not entirely true, according to this (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8645278/) if the sensor fails again they will try to draw up an exception for the rule and fly with 3 out of the 4. Current rule is 4 for 4

[craigcd]

The problem with the LH2 ECO (engine cutoff) sensors appears to be a grounding or EMI (Electromecchanical interference) in the wiring harness.
The attached URL shows several good illustrations of the sensors and their locations. The latest information that I have is that the flight might occur as early a Tuesday.

http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/122488main_ECO_sensors.jpg

[Termite233]

well this stinks im gonna be in vero beach on tuesday. won't be able to see the launch as well as from my back yard. oh well. I hope the launch happens though. it's detrimental not only to the space program but to the economy in my area as well.

[Ashley Christine]

They are expecting to launch tomorrow!
I hope everything goes well and they can get everything done that thay plan on doing!

[spears312]

I'm going to be making sure I get up in time for the launch (and not accidentally sleep till noon like I did this morning :p ). From what I understand, they are "Bending the rules" and may fly even if the issue pops up again, but hopefully it wont.

[Anthony]

So, I had the date of the original launch off, unfortunately I did not get so lucky with take two. Hoepfully everything goes well though and I can watch it again after work.

[Ryan Albright]

the countdown is going i cant wait, I will take pictures from were i am located. I am about 25 miles from launch site

[Elgin Clock]

The launch is being broadcast on CNN, MSNBC, NBC, and also on Yahoo News here:

With a minute or so delay from the TV stations:
http://news.yahoo.com/fc/science/space_shuttle
(Click on Watch NASA TV)

14 minutes remaining.

[KTorak]

Well, according to CNN, on the last fuel sensor test, they all worked. Hopefully it stays that way.

[Bcahn836]

And we have liftoff!!! Woo Hoo :cool: :cool:

[Conor Ryan]

main booster detached and they are in orbit!

Alright, how are they gonna get it down?

[sanddrag]

]Alright, how are they gonna get it down?Usually gravity takes care of most of that. Anyway, we'll see how the next few days go with inspections. :)

[Laura 1547]

What happens to the rockets after they detach? How does NASA make sure they dont land on something that they weren't supposed to land on?

[Wetzel]

What happens to the rockets after they detach? How does NASA make sure they dont land on something that they weren't supposed to land on?

The Solid Rocket Boosters land about 140 miles downrange in the ocean after they detach at ~40 miles in height. They are recovered and resued.

The external tank detaches even higher and breaks up on the way down.


Wetzel

[Pat McCarthy]

That view from the external tank camera was absolutely magnificent! :D
Especially the shot of the Shuttle separating and pitching up! :yikes:

[ahecht]

It looks like there was some debris separation from the external tank:

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts114/images/050726debris.jpg

[tiffany34990]

well it was a great view to see again... i saw it from my house and on tv so it was cool to see again.. i'll miss the night launches...those are really pretty to see...

but hats off to NASA ...we are again on our way...

[KTorak]

It looks like there was some debris separation from the external tank:

A Slashdot user commented on the fact it appeared that Tiles fell off. If I could download a video or something, I'd like to see it, I mist have missed it on CNN.

The Solid Rocket Boosters land about 140 miles downrange in the ocean after they detach at ~40 miles in height. They are recovered and resued.

The external tank detaches even higher and breaks up on the way down.


Wetzel

It would have been cool to watch the carmera attached to it as it fell back to earth. but it unfortudently orbits for a good deal of time (as it had orbital veolicity when it seperates from the shuttle itself).

[MikeDubreuil]

Does anyone else get goosebumps when they hear the words, "ground launch sequencer is a go for auto sequence start?" I do, and I'm glad to see the shuttle program back.

[Conor Ryan]

A Slashdot user commented on the fact it appeared that Tiles fell off. If I could download a video or something, I'd like to see it, I mist have missed it on CNN.



It would have been cool to watch the carmera attached to it as it fell back to earth. but it unfortudently orbits for a good deal of time (as it had orbital veolicity when it seperates from the shuttle itself).


A video from Cnn can be found here (http://www.cnn.com/video/) although I'll keep searching for a full video of the launch, that one only covered the first 2:40 of it. But watch around 2:20, when the external boosters detach, it freaks me out a little bit that its a flaming firefball that looks like its falling apart. The detachment I saw on the original webcast showed the main fuel booster coming off that was pretty cool. But it looks like Nasa is back in space.

[Madison]

Welcome back, Discovery. :) We've missed you.

[KTorak]

A video from Cnn can be found here (http://www.cnn.com/video/) although I'll keep searching for a full video of the launch, that one only covered the first 2:40 of it. But watch around 2:20, when the external boosters detach, it freaks me out a little bit that its a flaming firefball that looks like its falling apart. The detachment I saw on the original webcast showed the main fuel booster coming off that was pretty cool. But it looks like Nasa is back in space.

Thanks for the link :)

[geo]

I've just posted a thread in Chit-Chat on how to spot International Space Station and space shuttle discovery. So if you're interested go here

[spears312]

Glad to finally see that shuttle up there again. IMO, I don't think anything that fell off looked too serious, except for maybe that little piece of tile, but I'm not the expert. Followed along with the mission broadcast on NASA TV all day, and it seems that they got every thing done that they needed to today, so thats good. Hope the rest of their mission is successful.

[geo]

Also, the top of the external fuel tank strikes a bird at liftoff.....poor bird :(

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts114/050726images/bird.jpg

[suneel112]

Yeah, I saw those birds circling right over the launchpad, and I'm not really surprised. That must have been quite a knock, though. Today's launch (alright, yesterday's, but its still Tuesday for me) went beautifully. The onboard cameras also showed the incredible journey the shuttle takes when it is launched.

NASA continues to amaze me, especially at the precision and integrity of their work (one tiny error in one of hundreds of thousands of parts, miles of cable, and thousands of tiles can jeapordize the mission). Hats off to all the NASA engineers, who did an incredible job!

[Bcahn836]

It looks like there was some debris separation from the external tank:

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts114/images/050726debris.jpg


You may be right. . . I just heard that a small piece of foam tile broke off the shuttle but the crew is going to try and fix it.

[ahecht]

You may be right. . . I just heard that a small piece of foam tile broke off the shuttle but the crew is going to try and fix it.

Woah, you got your info a little confused. The foam insulation on the external tank did shed in at least three places, but there are no such thing as foam tiles. The largest piece of foam was the one in the picture I posted, which came from the Protuberance Air Load (PAL) Ramp, while the two smaller ones came from the left bipod area (the area where the foam that hit Columbia came from). You can see a nice high-res picture of the tank missing all three pieces of foam at http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/123625main_s114e5070_high.jpg (http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/123625main_s114e5070_high.jpg)(1.5MB). While it doesn't look like the big foam piece hit anything, it is unknown what happened to the little pieces. However, even the big piece is smaller than the bipod ramp that hit Columbia. These cannot be repaired as the tank has already burned up in the atmosphere.

Seperately, a small piece of tile (approx. 1 square inch) chipped off the forward landing gear well door on the shuttle orbiter. This is not really a concern, as there have been literally thousands of documented tile shedding events, and none have resulted in vehicle damage during reentry (Columbia had a damaged RCC panel, which is very different).

There are currently no plans for actual tile repair on the vehicle. There are plans (which have always been part of the mission) to test repair methods on pre-damaged panels which are being stored in a box in the payload bay, but none of these repair methods are flight-certified yet. Unless the analysis of the LIDAR (laser scanner) data shows that a significant amount of tile is missing, this is not expected to change.

However, as a result of the foam shedding, the shuttle fleet has been grounded (meaning that Atlantis probably won't fly this year).

[Ryan Albright]

Grounding the Shuttle again! (http://apnews.myway.com/article/20050727/D8BK18H00.html) :(

This is very upsetting, after we just made it back to space and everything. But i do agree that we have to fix all the problems so we will not have another disaster

[spears312]

It is very unfortunate to see the fleet grounded again, but it is all in the interest of safety. I hope they can figure out the issue. Also does any one know whether or not this applies for Atlantis should it need to be launched for a rescue? If not and a rescue were needed, what would be the solution?

[KTorak]

My best guess would be keeping the crew at ISS and asking for another favor from Russia, or another country planning a mission in the coming weeks/months.

[mechanicalbrain]

wow its like everyone (china, america, russia) is rushing to get to space. its just like the olden days! :ahh:

[Wetzel]

My best guess would be keeping the crew at ISS and asking for another favor from Russia, or another country planning a mission in the coming weeks/months.

What other countries have their own launch vehicles to get people?

Wetzel

[Tristan Lall]

My best guess would be keeping the crew at ISS and asking for another favor from Russia, or another country planning a mission in the coming weeks/months.Only one spacecraft could carry an entire shuttle crew back; that is, of course, another shuttle (crew capacity is up to ten, if so equipped). If Discovery needed rescue, another shuttle could be launched with a crew of two or three (with two being the minimum—unlike Buran, shuttles can't fly unmanned); I seriously doubt they would let a little thing like pieces of foam stand in the way of a rescue. By the way, the ISS is not equipped for long-duration occupancy by a shuttle crew—it would require several more shuttle flights to attach additional modules, and many more years (with the most optimistic scheduling) to even approach that sort of capacity.

As for other nations, China's in no condition to mount a rescue, given that they only have the Shenzhou (3 occupants, but only flown unmanned and with one aboard), and one manned spaceflight in total. Russia has only Soyuz (3 occupants), of which several would be needed—it is possible, though not especially likely that Russia has any spaceworthy Soyuz craft ready to launch. You'd need three flights between the Soyuz and the Shenzhou. (And please, nobody suggest any of the X-Prize entries....)

But of course, there are no reports of significant damage to the shuttle. Just the potential for trouble during the future launches.

[KTorak]

Well, the US would have to do something. CNN said earlier that the grounding of the fleet could quite possibly mean Atlantis (or whatever the reasue craft is) would be grounded from taking off even if it needed to be used for a rescue. Meaning, I guess the crew would be stuck on ISS and in deperate needs of food/supplies until someone figured out a logical way to solve the problems at hand.

[Ryan Albright]

I really think if there was need for a rescue. They would research every possible option and if the only thing they could do is send up a rescue shuttle, I really think they would.

[EricH]

A few minutes ago, I saw an online article saying that Discovery is good to return, pending some laser examination of a slightly damaged area of the belly. Apparently ISS crew got pictures of areas thought to be damaged and they look fine.

In regards to a rescue mission being grounded, I doubt that will happen. The max crew size for that would be three, though I doubt that more than two would go. But, if they don't need rescue, Atlantis is grounded until further notice, same as all the others.

I'd be willing to say that NASA is looking at new designs for a shuttle, if they haven't started already.

[DUCKIE]

I'd be willing to say that NASA is looking at new designs for a shuttle, if they haven't started already.

Last I heard they were pretty serious with the X-33 / Venture Star but that was dropped a few years back... I'm sure they have plenty of ideas... but as far as I know, nothing is close to being built, tested, and flight-ready by the Shuttle Fleet's swiftly approaching "expiration date" in 2010.

After a little research... the CEV is the closest project... due for unmanned flight in 2014... which kind of puts a damper on finishing the ISS or going back to the Moon/humans on Mars like Bush wants to. [Especially if the Shuttles remain grounded.]

I heard NASA plans to speed up the CEV timeline... but that just doesn't sound like such a good idea to me... since when you rush... accidents usually happen... and we don't really want metric-english system conversion problem when people are involved. [for example the lost mars polar lander]

Crossing my fingers [and toes] for NASA though.

------------------------
Not sure how this additional bit on news will pan out... but apparently a 10th planet has been found.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3511678.stm

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Whoa yeah... sorry for sparking off some strong emotions here... I probably could have phrased some things differently. I apologize.

I was just using the Polar-Lander as an example of a mistake that in hindsight is kinda goofy when you think about it... like 80's hairstyles... [Although it would not have been goofy if humans had been onboard the lander]


I am TOTALLY pro-NASA... Complete space-geek since my parents took us down to KSFC to see Discovery roll out for the first flight after the Challenger was lost. And it's only grown with 2 trips to US Space Camp / MSFC, Meeting Alan Bean, Seeing the Enterprise Shuttle in DC, and watching / reading about all on NASA's work... from Mars Rovers and micro-gravity grown protein crystals to Memory Foam and Tang. [Mmmm Tang... now that brings back some fond memories of childhood]

[sanddrag]

we don't really want metric-english system conversion problem when people are involved. [for example the lost mars polar lander]
I see this come up time and time again. I wish people would just let it go. Why is it we must focus on a few failures and forgett about the abundance of successes?

[Daniel Brim]

I see this come up time and time again. I wish people would just let it go. Why is it we must focus on a few failures and forgett about the abundance of successes?Yes they are only a few failures. But they are billions of dollars in failures. And a space shuttle failure can cost human lives. Often with taxpayer money. And yes, the successes are always more often, which is excellent :)

(Sorry to be the pessimist)

[Timothy D. Ginn]

I see this come up time and time again. I wish people would just let it go. Why is it we must focus on a few failures and forgett about the abundance of successes?

I found the recent article on k5h (http://www.kuro5hin.org) dealing with roughly the same topic to be interesting The methods and bias of the media (http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2005/7/27/85626/5390). That said, honestly I find it disappointing too when NASA doesn't get the credit it deserves.

[Conor Ryan]

looks like we have a return date! STS-114 is currently scheduled to come on down back to earth at approximently 4:46am EDT on Monday, August 8th to Kennedy Space Center. Deorbit is scheduled to start around 3:43 am.

And if that doesn't work they got a whole list of back up times
1.) 8/8-Kennedy Space Center at 6:21 am deorbit would start at 5:19am
2.) 8/8-Edwards Air Force Base (California) at 7:52 am
3.) 8/8-Edwards Air Force Base at 9:27 am
4.) 8/9-Kennedy Space Center at 5:09 am
5.) 8/9-Kennedy Space Center at 6:45 am
6-7.) 8/10 at Edwards Air Force Base

so it looks like NASA's hunk of engineering is coming back to earth.

[tiffany34990]

i'm soo glad everything is looking good for the crew....

thanks conor for sharing the info about times of return..

[Marc P.]

looks like we have a return date! STS-114 is currently scheduled to come on down back to earth at approximently 4:46am EDT on Monday, August 26th to Kennedy Space Center. Deorbit is scheduled to start around 3:43 am.

And if that doesn't work they got a whole list of back up times
1.) 8/26-Kennedy Space Center at 6:21 am deorbit would start at 5:19am
2.) 8/26-Edwards Air Force Base (California) at 7:52 am
3.) 8/26-Edwards Air Force Base at 9:27 am
4.) 8/27-Kennedy Space Center at 5:09 am
5.) 8/27-Kennedy Space Center at 6:45 am
6-7.) 8/27 at Edwards Air Force Base

so it looks like NASA's hunk of engineering is coming back to earth.

I think you mean this coming Monday, August the 15th.

[Conor Ryan]

I think you mean this coming Monday, August the 15th.

Well actually after checking the Nasa site again, here (http://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight/launch/index.html) it said the first landing is now Monday, August 8th. So we were both wrong initally.

*note all above dates were updated.
**all above times are touch down unless otherwise noted.

[Marc P.]

Well actually after checking the Nasa site again, here (http://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight/launch/index.html) it said the first landing is now Monday, August 8th. So we were both wrong initally.

*note all above dates were updated.
**all above times are touch down unless otherwise noted.


Yeah, I had a busy day at work... I read my watch's date readout and only saw the 8 for some reason, thinking today was Friday, August 8th, meaning this coming monday would have been the 15th. Wow does time fly. :p

Anyway, yeah, Monday, August 8th is the expected reentry date.

[sanddrag]

The landing has been delayed due to low clouds near the runway. It is now scheduled to begin the deorbit burn at 5:15 AM EDT and land at KSC at 6:22 AM EDT.

[sanddrag]

Deorbit burn now scheduled for 4:01 am EDT and landing at 5:07 EDT at KSC. If that is aborted, they can have another go at it for a 6:45 am EDT landing at KSC. If that is aborted, it looks like Edwards will be the runway of choice, although I think they are going to do everything possible to bring it down at KSC. The bay doors have been closed and the computers have already been switched over to the software for reentry and landing for the first attempt at KSC. :)

[Kyle Love]

I hope they come back safe! They all know what they are doing so they will be fine im sure!

[sanddrag]

First shot aborted. Let's hope they can hit the 6:45 am EDT landing at KSC. If not they are coming to California! Whoo!

[Ryan Albright]

Discovery, has touchdown safely at Edwards Airforce Base. Welcome Home

[sanddrag]

Welcome home Discovery! It made a beautiful landing at Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California and made a nice little double sonic boom I could hear at my house on its way. :)