I personally think it is quite terrible that this thread designed to memorialize the heros on the Space Shuttle Columbia is turning into a fight. Most of the people in FIRST were in some way affected by this tragety and are dealing with it the best way they can. Furthermore, people telling them to move on and other stuff like that are out of line. If you feel that this disaster is not a big deal you should keep it to yourself or start a new thread about it. However, a memorial thread is no place for rude comments.

As for the the reason to why the crew is so remembered. It is probably because America and the rest of the world world likes to remember heros. After 9-11 the FDNY became another word for hero. Why? Because they showed up at a burning 110 story building and rushed up it without second thoughts because they knew the outcome would be far worse if they did not do anything. Likewise the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia were heroic because they saw the risk of going into space and decided that risk was nothing compared to the possible reward of all the knowledge they could gain to improve the human race. The selfless sacrafice for the good of their fellow man deserves and needs to be celebrated. So, therefore i think it is very rude that some people make condescending comments and tell other people to move on after less than a week after the disaster happened. I think we all should remember the Columbia in our own way without condemnation from other people.

I never said one death was more important than another. I said one death was more newsworthy than another. Yes, A.I.D.S. victims suffer a lot more than the people who died on the shuttle. That doesn't make each death worth reporting on the front page (or at all).

although
 

The thing that makes the Columbia so terrible is that no one expects a space shuttle to blow up on rentry. I agree that people that are passing awat more slowly should also be mourned but their death isn't such a shock.

Personally the whole thing is kind of creepy because I was watching CNN around 7 when (for the first time in a long time) the news was going to cover the launch and said everything was going well. CNN was planned to show the landing of the shuttle but got a horrible shock a few hours later.

My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the astronauts...

Can we just stop bickering...the loss of ANY human life, especially if it could be prevented, is sad enough.

But there is a point. We're so used to seeing the shuttle go up, perform its mission, and come home no problems. NASA has never had accidents upon rentry, only in outer space (Apollo 13), on the launch pad (Apollo 1), and launch (Challenger).

My condolences to the families and friends. And there are those who like me have met a member(s) of the crew who'd wish that'd you all quit arguing and making this personal. (See Here )

Space travel is very dangerous, but probably worth it
 

The shuttle astronauts are, without exception, very smart people, and they know that they are taking great risk. They are engaging in a much more hazardous activity than even race car drivers. If you go on a shuttle flight, there is about one chance in 70 that you will die. For the odds to be that bad in NASCAR or IRL racing, there would have to be a fatality every other race. It is more like one fatality every 30 or 40 races.

Still, the people who go on these missions feel, rightly in my opinion, that they are doing something of benefit to the human existance. An example is that the Hubbell (sp?) telescope, the maintenance of which is possible only by use of the shuttle, has provided an abundance of knowledge of the universe that could not be obtained from earth-based telescopes.

I won't argue whether the astronauts are heros, but do feel that they are willing to knowingly put there lives at great risk, but with a purpose for which a good case can be made.

Re: Space travel is very dangerous, but probably worth it
 

I can agree with that one.

Re: Space Shuttle Columbia
 

Big article in our paper The Baltimore Sun this morning about how David Brown's family is donating items, such as flight helmets and signed lithographs for auction, with all proceeds going to FIRST. His brother is quoted as saying "our family collectively decided to continue David's desire to support charities he expressed admiration for while he was an astronaut. Inspiring young minds to pursue careers in science and medicine was one of his personal goals while an astronaut."

What a wonderful gesture from this amazing family.

Re: Space Shuttle Columbia
 

any idea where and when the auction will take place...?

Re: Space Shuttle Columbia
 

Swann Galleries in NYC this Sat. 5 items from the David Brown estate among 330 American and Soviet memorabilia.

Should this be a new thread or you think we are ok here?

Re: Space Shuttle Columbia
 

i think we will be ok here.....thanks....it looks like i wont be going because of cleveland regional...so it goes

Re: Space Shuttle Columbia
 

Here is a link to the article:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/features...,6081406.story

Steve

Re: Space Shuttle Columbia
 

I'm not suprised by this gester, not at all. I've met David Brown at KSC Southeast Regionals when they had them (last one was in 2002, moved to UCF cause of Secuirty issues). In my opinion, he and his crew are a shining example of gracious professionalism. I remember reading in Times magazine last year about how the crew worked with the scientists' whose experiments they would be performing in orbit. They made them sometimes better, easier to perform in orbit, more accurate, etc.... Furthermore, a few of us lucky competitors got a chance to talk to him by chance when we were in the same building overhearing our coversation (which in all irony related to what would happen if all the computers and their backups fail in reentry). Very much a gracious professional.

(note: my oldID was MRL180YTL2002 which was compromised earlier this school so this is my new one - and Yes I told Brandon about it so I apologze for any misunderstandings, remarks, etc.... the person could have and did make)

Re: Space Shuttle Columbia
 

This is very cool to learn. Video from FIRST's memorial presentation to NASA in Houston last year, where David Brown's brother Doug spoke so eloquently, is available here on our website:
http://www.cybersonics.org/cybersoni...ia/houston.asp

103 was honored to be a part of it all. The partnership between NASA and FIRST has always been a cornerstone for the success of the program and it's no surprise to see the Brown family, a real class act, make such a gesture.

Re: Space Shuttle Columbia
 

There's that number again. :D

Re: Space Shuttle Columbia
 

Update in the paper today said that the helmet and the flight suit was withdrawn for sale because NASA told the family that it was government property.
A signed lithograph of the Columbia crew sold for $15,000 which will be given to FIRST.