NASA Space Shuttle

[hawklord]

I spent six hours watching the STS-116 countdown last night! It was the first shuttle launch at night for 4 years, and looked spectacular.

There's a clip of the launch on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6CSlmyvuqY)...

[AdrianGilbert]

I spent six hours watching the STS-116 countdown last night! It was the first shuttle launch at night for 4 years, and looked spectacular.

There's a clip of the launch on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6CSlmyvuqY)...

Are they launching space shuttles from Cornwall now? I didn't realise we even have a space program(me) let alone shuttle capability. Maybe there's hope yet for us would-be Brittanic astronauts.:)

[Bark]

Enjoy the shuttle while you can. Ever since I saw Challenger go when I was 6, I thought of the machine as a flying death trap. I have since seen little to change my mind on the matter.

Hopefully, we can complete the ISS without any further tragedies.

[Nostromo]

This is my shuttle. :wink: N

http://youtube.com/watch?v=dJgGxRAbcIc

[Space Tycoon]

Oh yeah? Well, this is my shuttle: :anismirk:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c0S6bVvQIc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_I4NtO6ieKM


Yeah I know, wrong forum.

[hawklord]

Are they launching space shuttles from Cornwall now?...
If Tony Blair announced a kick-ass UK space program, with shuttles being launched from down the road, I would become an entheusiastic supporter of him and all his works... There. I've gone on the record.

....Yeah I know, wrong forum.
I'm surprised there isn't an animation thread somewhere on Mania, as I liked the foregoing, and I'm sure other people would too.

Anyway, back to NASA... and the spacewalk operations (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFR1ioUi3J8).

[Suzanne Olsson]

Errr....I watched those delightful links you fellas posted to space flicks... I thought space was a vacume, therefor incapable of transmitting sound...
Sound can be heard in the space between your ears only if you are "inside" the space ship....and correctly aligned inside your head...
??????????????????????????/

Sue

[AdrianGilbert]

Sound can be heard in the space between your ears only if you are "inside" the space ship....and correctly aligned inside your head...
??????????????????????????/

Sue

Does that include the sound of one hand clapping?:headscratch:

[hawklord]

... I thought space was a vacume, therefor incapable of transmitting sound..
I noticed the clonkings, especially during the spacewalks. I guess the sounds could be transmitted through the spacesuits. Or the noise could be other crew members inside the shuttle - perhaps making their dinner :) as, during a spacewalk, there's a general communication loop so that everyone can hear everyone else. NASA even call it the "big loop", I believe.

[hawklord]

And we have touchdown!

Discovery (STS-116) is safely back home at the Kennedy Space Center!

16-min video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52vBQqByMBY) of the descent phase and approach and landing.

Short video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oIFEG04Bdo) of the landing.

mission overview (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1Jb7aFFKeQ) (2.5 mins)

[hawklord]

STS-117 is delayed due to hail damage... Atlantis was rolled back from the pad for dents in the external tank to be fixed.

NASA (http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/multimedia/117_gallery-hail.html) page.

Inspections are finished for the solid rocket boosters and nearly complete for the orbiter, with 20 of 28 hail-damaged areas, all on the left side of the vehicle, already repaired.

A new target launch date has not been determined, but teams will focus on preparing Atlantis for liftoff in late April, say NASA.

[bdd]

STS-117 is delayed due to hail damage... Atlantis was rolled back from the pad for dents in the external tank to be fixed.

NASA (http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/multimedia/117_gallery-hail.html) page.

Inspections are finished for the solid rocket boosters and nearly complete for the orbiter, with 20 of 28 hail-damaged areas, all on the left side of the vehicle, already repaired.

A new target launch date has not been determined, but teams will focus on preparing Atlantis for liftoff in late April, say NASA.


Isn't that really old news? Like a week old now?

[Nostromo]

STS-117 is delayed due to hail damage... Atlantis was rolled back from the pad for dents in the external tank to be fixed.

NASA (http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/multimedia/117_gallery-hail.html) page.

Inspections are finished for the solid rocket boosters and nearly complete for the orbiter, with 20 of 28 hail-damaged areas, all on the left side of the vehicle, already repaired.

A new target launch date has not been determined, but teams will focus on preparing Atlantis for liftoff in late April, say NASA.

Hey Hawk. Thought you'd like this. Enjoy. N

http://bigpicture.typepad.com/writing/2005/07/shuttle_damage.html

[hawklord]

Hey Hawk. Thought you'd like this. Enjoy. N

http://bigpicture.typepad.com/writing/2005/07/shuttle_damage.html
Thanks for that. I didn't realise the TPS (tiles) took such a beating!

Isn't that really old news? Like a week old now?
Well it was, but then, I don't get paid CNN rates to be up-to-date with my news reporting :D So I'll be nice and laid-back about it all...

[DVB]

Lunar dust 'may harm astronauts'
Scientists are investigating the possible threat posed to astronauts by inhaling lunar dust.
A study suggests the smallest particles in lunar dust might be toxic, if comparisons with dust inhalation cases on Earth apply.

It's a long and detailed story at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6460089.stm. The craziest bit is: "Paving the Moon would prevent dust being kicked up by the manned spacecraft and vehicles which would follow to the surface..."

Paving the Moon? The mind boggles.

[hawklord]

...The craziest bit is: "Paving the Moon would prevent dust being kicked up by the manned spacecraft and vehicles which would follow to the surface..."

Paving the Moon? The mind boggles.
Hmmm. Much better to have a fleet of mechanical roadsweepers up there, to get rid of all that pesky dust :D

Once the bare rock is exposed, we can then decide on the vexed question of what colour to paint it.

[DVB]

Once the bare rock is exposed, we can then decide on the vexed question of what colour to paint it.
But even more difficult, what colour to paint the holes in the green cheese?

[hawklord]

I had internet connection issues during STS-117 in June, but I'm hoping all will be well for tomorrow's mission launch!

During the 11-day mission, Endeavour's crew will add another truss segment to the expanding station, install a new gyroscope on the complex and add an external spare parts platform. The flight will include at least three spacewalks. The crew will debut a new system that enables docked shuttles to draw electrical power from the station.

[Bark]

Anyone taking odds that they're going to hit electrical issues?

[hawklord]

Anyone taking odds that they're going to hit electrical issues?
It wouldn't surprise me, but happily the mission profile allows for that, in that they'll extend their stay if the electrical hookup works.

There's a video on YouTube (here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffSTb4v-NXw)) that looks at the audio of the launch - reverse speech - and claims to have uncovered hidden references to a 'goddess' and 'nemesis', etc.

Meanwhile, I recorded the NASA TV launch coverage and it's here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gxi3Z4lvlVU).

[Lavoruis]

Why would anyone risk there life in 30= yrs old piece techonology.
to go up in space/???
We don't use commerical airplanes that old?
unless its for airshows.
I seen both of them explode. I am sure it won't be the last.

[DarkJedi]

Is there another piece of technology that launches people into space that I'm not aware of, Lavoruis?

[Lavoruis]

there will be by 2010 .
To me going back &fourth above the earth, is nothing more US grandstanding.
The Space Race "was and is joke. and huge....... waste of money.
Remember a Furby....... has more brains than all the "Apollo Missions" combined
as well current missions.
only thing really yielded from current missions is the Memory Foam Mattress

[hawklord]

The first spacewalk, to stick part of the space station into place, is on YouTube here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdHjOvNoA7w).

The second spacewalk is here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IykW2y99Q4A)...