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Terrible news 
Posted: 15:56 Feb 01 2003
Space shuttle Columbia breaks up upon re-entry
Only know this from other boards I post on but looking on CNN.com it's confirmed - the Columbia pretty much disintegrated on it's way back to earth, those on board (including the first Israeli astronaut) had no chance. 
The story is here: http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/space/02/01/shuttle.columbia/index.html
The story is here: http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/space/02/01/shuttle.columbia/index.html
19 Replies and 2186 Views in Total.
Posted: 15:56 Feb 01 2003 
It looks like mechanical failure, although I fear Bush et al may try to twist it around..
by CNN
"While this may not be the work of terrorists..."
Posted: 16:15 Feb 01 2003
The suspected terrorist angle to it is because of the aforementioned Israeli astronaut. It's highly unlikely that it is the case though as security around space launches is always extra tight, always has been.
And to be honest IMHO trying to tie what is more than likely a tragic accident to terrorism simply because of the current political climate cheapens the whole ordeal.
And to be honest IMHO trying to tie what is more than likely a tragic accident to terrorism simply because of the current political climate cheapens the whole ordeal.
Posted: 17:38 Feb 01 2003
Spikeo, exactly my thoughts.
I can't believe they even mentioned it, pretty cheap shot in my opinion.
I can't believe they even mentioned it, pretty cheap shot in my opinion.
Posted: 18:18 Feb 01 2003
It is a sad day indeed .
However I do hope this doesnt stall the space programme as it needs to continue or it will have all been for nothing.
.However I do hope this doesnt stall the space programme as it needs to continue or it will have all been for nothing.
Posted: 18:27 Feb 01 2003 
Oh My God, i didn't know anything about this, i haven't seen the news.
Four days ago it was the 17th anniversary of the Challenger Space Shuttle exploding
Four days ago it was the 17th anniversary of the Challenger Space Shuttle exploding
Posted: 18:49 Feb 01 2003 
This is very sad news, and my thoughts go to the families involved. However it must be remembered that Space Travel is very, very dangerous. An independent statistical survey predicted a major Shuttle disaster in approximately one in every 169 missions. NASA will admit to this I'm sure and say its a terrible accident. I'm not sure what number of shuttle missions they are up to now. I cannot contemplate this is terrorism, the resources needed would be too great. I do hope those without facts don't whip up the terrorism angle.
Simon
Simon
Posted: 19:56 Feb 01 2003
Yikes That's awful. I know some people who live in Texas who are pretty upset about this. My thoughts are with the familes and friends of the people who died
(Edited by Ferretgirl 02/02/2003 21:16)
That's awful. I know some people who live in Texas who are pretty upset about this. My thoughts are with the familes and friends of the people who died(Edited by Ferretgirl 02/02/2003 21:16)
Posted: 21:14 Feb 02 2003 
Yeah its terrible, and sure it shouldn't have happened. But personally I think its all a bit overdrawn.
You cramp 7 people into a "bomb" shoot them into space and try to get them home safely again. They all knew the risks, space just isn't a safe place just yet.
In the UK alone more people died by traffic accidents that day. I'm pretty sure those people didn't calculate the risks they where taking when they got in / on their cars / bikes or walked to the local shop for their early morning shopping.
For me its a billiondollar minivan with 7 people in it that had a mechnical failure and had an accident ran into a tree and they all died most likely on impact.
I don't want to seem insensitive or anything to anyones feelings about this as it is sad it happened and its a waste of life but I think the media are overdoing it a bit.
(Edited by Chambler 03/02/2003 08:21)
You cramp 7 people into a "bomb" shoot them into space and try to get them home safely again. They all knew the risks, space just isn't a safe place just yet.
In the UK alone more people died by traffic accidents that day. I'm pretty sure those people didn't calculate the risks they where taking when they got in / on their cars / bikes or walked to the local shop for their early morning shopping.
For me its a billiondollar minivan with 7 people in it that had a mechnical failure and had an accident ran into a tree and they all died most likely on impact.
I don't want to seem insensitive or anything to anyones feelings about this as it is sad it happened and its a waste of life but I think the media are overdoing it a bit.
(Edited by Chambler 03/02/2003 08:21)
Posted: 08:19 Feb 03 2003 
Posted: 10:07 Feb 03 2003
I don't really think this is as overblown as it might seem, this is the first time an accident of this kind has *ever* happened, yes space travel is risky but they had already re-entered earth's atmosphere...the predominantly dangerous part of the mission was already complete and it *should* have been plain sailing for them to land back safely. They didn't, and obviously some people want to know why.
Posted: 10:16 Feb 03 2003 
I can't say i feel any emotional sympathy or regret for the deaths of the Astronauts. They were trained, they knew the risks and they themselves would probably say the Space Program must go on.
And hopefully it will... alot has been invested in the Space Program, and if it fails now it would be a great shame. There are other things we could concentrate on (like exploring the ocean, a part of the earth which has hardly been touched) and such-like, but i think Space Exploration should be a dominant part of our expansion, both technical and as a curious species of explorers.
And hopefully it will... alot has been invested in the Space Program, and if it fails now it would be a great shame. There are other things we could concentrate on (like exploring the ocean, a part of the earth which has hardly been touched) and such-like, but i think Space Exploration should be a dominant part of our expansion, both technical and as a curious species of explorers.
Posted: 11:07 Feb 03 2003 Actually re-entry is the most dangerous of the mission, but what they think happened is on the pad a bit of insulating foam fell off of one of the towers and clipped the wing (caught on security tape). once they went in for re-entry the atmospheric drag caused a slight wobble after catching the damaged part of the wing. The wobble was great enough so that the parts unprotected by heat panneling were caught by a 5000+ deegrees celcius burst of air after that the ship just started to melt
by Spikeo
the predominantly dangerous part of the mission was already complete and it *should* have been plain sailing for them to land back safely.
Posted: 11:38 Feb 03 2003 
by Havoc
The wobble was great enough so that the parts unprotected by heat panneling were caught by a 5000+ deegrees celcius burst of air after that the ship just started to melt
That's awful
Posted: 12:49 Feb 04 2003