So maybe the shuttle wasn't ready to return to space after all

[madokie]

http://www.forbes.com/business/healthcare/feeds/ap/2006/07/07/ap2865120.html

NASA engineers examined new detailed pictures of space shuttle Discovery's heat shield Friday, a day before two astronauts were to embark on the most disorienting task of their 13-day mission: a wobbly spacewalk.

The astronauts beamed down up-close views of six areas of possible concern on the shuttle's thermal skin, and engineers agreed that three of them posed little risk, said Steve Poulos, manager of the orbiter project office. Analysis is ongoing for the other areas, including a piece of fabric filler protruding from the thermal tiles on Discovery's belly. (snip)

And if that's not enough, mission control told Sellers and Fossum that they may also have to play "hot potato" with a potentially scorching replacement part for a broken transporter on the international space station. The railcar-like device must be fixed to help with future construction of the orbiting outpost.

The part is stored in a small bag that traps heat. If it gets too hot, mission controllers suggested the astronauts "let it hang from a tether or 'hot potato' it between your hands."

[HysteryDiagnosis]

1. It's a shame that the same vehicle that has to endure the stress

and abuse of the straight up launch is the one used to bring the crew back down.

[madokie]

3. I guess the human life factor didn't figure in the 'deciding'

It also like we are being shielded from making any mental connection with the astronauts. I wonder what is there chance of safely returning to earth.
is that a pic of what should be our link to space?

[HysteryDiagnosis]

5. Yes it is.... a horizontal take off vehicle, with turbines to get it up to

several times the speed of sound. Then you retract the turbines from the inlet, combustion chamber and so forth to allow the natural compression developed by the narrowing inlet to pass through the combustion area where hydrogen is injected to burn/combust and then pass out the backend unhindered.

It's commonly referred to as a scramjet... and they need to get it up and running. I'm thinking the Japanese will be the first to get one in service.

http://www.nasa.gov/missions/research/x43-image-feature.html

[madokie]

6. with a less re-entry angle to make the thick heat shields unnecessary

or at the least not so important. Yes a space ship that could actually fly in its own space, what a concept. the current one's only fall under some control, the operative word being 'some'.

[Junkdrawer]

7. Looks like an air breather...Wouldn't that only take you so high...

before you need to add oxygen to the burn? :shrug:

[HysteryDiagnosis]

8. Ummmm.... I'd imagine, I need to read the article in full, haven't done

it but remembered that this has been out there for years after having read about it in PS.

[liberal N proud]

10. The bu$h regime was involved in the launch decision, have they ever

considered human life?

[Skarbrowe]

9. That pic sure is pretty! Looks like a dolphin...or a shark. nt

[Jackpine Radical]

2. Awww, there ya go again, talking more of that reality-based nonsense

again.

Murka needed a boost to their spurts for the 4th and Georgie needed some good poll numbers for his burfdy, so the shuttle is just fine.

[madokie]

4. Yea I hate it when I screw that damn hat down too tight too.

:rofl: