The Space Shuttle

[lazyitus]

Second attempt at launching is due this afternoon (GMT).

I can remember the first flight, we all piled round a telly at primary school and watched in awe. :clap:

It still amazes me what that machine is capable of. But what are peoples views on the Shuttle and Space Travel? :scratchchin:

Personally I think its natural progression and will be valuable in centuries to come. :yes:

Anyway, good luck Discovery and all that float inside her! :thumbup:

[small][b]MORE DETAILS HERE:[/small][/b]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4716463.stm

[mybrainhurts]

Apparently Ken wants to make it subject to the Congestion Charge....

[Trooper2]

mybrainhurts said:

Apparently Ken wants to make it subject to the Congestion Charge....

With all of the junk orbiting the Earth these days he probably could.

[iandbeech]

Apparently it still has the fuel fault which delayed its launch last week though?

[robdickinson]

iandbeech said:

Apparently it still has the fuel fault which delayed its launch last week though?

Yep still has the same fault, tho 3 of the 4 sensors are working, or 1, depending on viewpoint...

There going to launch anyhow with a faulty shuttle.

[Tuna]

IIRC of all shuttle launches in the first decade or so, about half were deemed 'not safe to fly' by the independant body that reviews each mission prior to launch. They flew anyway because not to fly would be a huge embarassment and cost the space programme billions. The shuttle is a political tool as much as anything and it's a great pity that politics have slowed the development of the next generation of reusable space craft. I was planning to go to space before I pop my clogs, but it's looking a little bit unlikely at the moment.

[lottie]

Go Eileen !! I wonder if they are PH'ers and what they drive. Any suggestions..

[rich1231]

Tuna said:

IIRC of all shuttle launches in the first decade or so, about half were deemed 'not safe to fly' by the independant body that reviews each mission prior to launch. They flew anyway because not to fly would be a huge embarassment and cost the space programme billions. The shuttle is a political tool as much as anything and it's a great pity that politics have slowed the development of the next generation of reusable space craft. I was planning to go to space before I pop my clogs, but it's looking a little bit unlikely at the moment.

Tuna were the Esa or Nasa aware of your intention to enter space? It may be worth letting them know :-)

[neil_cardiff]

Good Luck Discovery and all who fly in her!

Take off in 9 minutes - Watch here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4716463.stm#

>> Edited by neil_cardiff on Tuesday 26th July 15:31

[john_p]

Never ceases to be amazing

Love how the curvature of the Earth is visible from the camera on the tank.

[northernmonkey]

the footage from the camera mounted tank is bloody amazing.....what a machine the shuttle is


live footage of the fuel tank jetison...from the tank itself!!!!!!......jeeeeeeeeeeesus...is it sad to be this impressed with that

>> Edited by northernmonkey on Tuesday 26th July 15:48

[john_p]

0-orbit in less than 10 minutes

Not too shabby

[theexcession]

john_p said:

0-orbit in less than 10 minutes Not too shabby

Yup and around 100 miles per minute when she's upto speed!

Awesome stuff

[GCerbera]

northernmonkey said:

the footage from the camera mounted tank is bloody amazing.....what a machine the shuttle is live footage of the fuel tank jetison...from the tank itself!!!!!!......jeeeeeeeeeeesus...is it sad to be this impressed with that

Not at all, impressed the heck out of me!

[4WD]

I do wonder what the real reason is for spending trillions putting these things up there. Im sure the real reason isn't really to do with growing cress seeds in a weightless environment. More likely putting nuke missiles into orbit or something tactical.

[john_p]

theexcession said:

john_p said: 0-orbit in less than 10 minutes Not too shabby Yup and around 100 miles per minute when she's upto speed! Awesome stuff

Sorry, but you're wrong.



Take that Einstein

ARGH PH WILL YOU STOP BEING SO SLOW

>> Edited by john_p on Tuesday 26th July 16:18

[andy mac]

Look great, good payload, but aren't the esa, and Ruski rockets a lot more efficient, and cheaper?

[K50 DEL]

northernmonkey said:

the footage from the camera mounted tank is bloody amazing.....what a machine the shuttle is live footage of the fuel tank jetison...from the tank itself!!!!!!......jeeeeeeeeeeesus...is it sad to be this impressed with that >> Edited by northernmonkey on Tuesday 26th July 15:48

I hope not, I was, and still am amazed by what the human race can achieve when we try.

I was fortunate enough to visit KSC last year, and a prouder and more professional bunch of people you've never seen.

As the mission commander said, good luck, godspeed, and have a little fun up there!!

[ErnestM]

First time my son has been old enough to see one go up. We where stood outside the front door and I pointed it out to him. As the shuttle got too high to see and the (curved) smoke trail began to dissipate, he says to me:

"Do it again, Daddy!"

I sincerely love the stage of life when your kids think you can do anything

Good luck to the crew!

ErnestM

[lazyitus]

K50 DEL said:

I was fortunate enough to visit KSC last year, and a prouder and more professional bunch of people you've never seen.

Did you order a Zinger Tower meal or just a drink?