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Mission:Space Question...
- Thread starter crazygirley
- Start date
Tim G
Well-Known Member
NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe will make a statement over NASA Television at 1 p.m. EST Saturday from the Kennedy Space Center. NASA released this statement earlier today:
NASA STATEMENT ON LOSS OF COMMUNICATIONS WITH COLUMBIA
A Space Shuttle contingency has been declared in Mission Control, Houston, as a result of the loss of communication with the Space Shuttle Columbia at approximately 9 a.m. EST Saturday as it descended toward a landing at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla. It was scheduled to touchdown at 9:16 a.m. EST.
Communication and tracking of the shuttle was lost at 9 a.m. EST at an altitude of about 203,000 feet in the area above north central Texas. At the time communications were lost. The shuttle was traveling approximately 12,500 miles per hour (Mach 18). No communication and tracking information were received in Mission Control after that time.
Search and rescue teams in the Dallas-Fort Worth and in portions of East Texas have been alerted. Any debris that is located in the area that may be related to the Space Shuttle contingency should be avoided and may be hazardous as a result of toxic propellants used aboard the shuttle. The location of any possible debris should immediately be reported to local authorities.
Flight controllers in Mission Control have secured all information, notes and data pertinent to today's entry and landing by Space Shuttle Columbia and continue to methodically proceed through contingency plans.
News media covering the Space Shuttle should stay tuned to NASA Television, which is broadcast on AMC-2, transponder 9C, C-Band, located at 85 degrees West longitude. The frequency is 3880.0 MHz. Polarization is vertical and audio is monaural at 6.8 MHz. Reporters can also go to any NASA center newsroom to monitor the situation.
New information, including the times and locations of press briefings, will be posted to this page.
NOTE TO PERSONS IN THE AREA: All debris is United States Government property and is critical to the investigation of the shuttle accident. Any and all debris from the accident is to be left alone and reported to Government authorities. Unauthorized persons found in possession of accident debris will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
NASA STATEMENT ON LOSS OF COMMUNICATIONS WITH COLUMBIA
A Space Shuttle contingency has been declared in Mission Control, Houston, as a result of the loss of communication with the Space Shuttle Columbia at approximately 9 a.m. EST Saturday as it descended toward a landing at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla. It was scheduled to touchdown at 9:16 a.m. EST.
Communication and tracking of the shuttle was lost at 9 a.m. EST at an altitude of about 203,000 feet in the area above north central Texas. At the time communications were lost. The shuttle was traveling approximately 12,500 miles per hour (Mach 18). No communication and tracking information were received in Mission Control after that time.
Search and rescue teams in the Dallas-Fort Worth and in portions of East Texas have been alerted. Any debris that is located in the area that may be related to the Space Shuttle contingency should be avoided and may be hazardous as a result of toxic propellants used aboard the shuttle. The location of any possible debris should immediately be reported to local authorities.
Flight controllers in Mission Control have secured all information, notes and data pertinent to today's entry and landing by Space Shuttle Columbia and continue to methodically proceed through contingency plans.
News media covering the Space Shuttle should stay tuned to NASA Television, which is broadcast on AMC-2, transponder 9C, C-Band, located at 85 degrees West longitude. The frequency is 3880.0 MHz. Polarization is vertical and audio is monaural at 6.8 MHz. Reporters can also go to any NASA center newsroom to monitor the situation.
New information, including the times and locations of press briefings, will be posted to this page.
NOTE TO PERSONS IN THE AREA: All debris is United States Government property and is critical to the investigation of the shuttle accident. Any and all debris from the accident is to be left alone and reported to Government authorities. Unauthorized persons found in possession of accident debris will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Attachments
figmentmom
Well-Known Member
What a terrible tragedy. I remember exactly where I was when I heard about John F. Kennedy's assassination (early elementary school), Robert F. Kennedy's assassination, Martin Luther King's assassination, and the Challenger tragedy...and I was HERE when I heard about this. At least I was among friends.
My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the astronauts.
My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the astronauts.
Maria
New Member
I agree.... they could hold it back, although I´m not sure they will need to because I don´t see it openning too soon.
Also, about a plaque for the Columbia Crew... it sounds fiting because of the timing, but if they were to put a plaque for this crew, then they would have to do it for the Challenger´s too or any other failed space mission. One for the Apollo II would be good too and the list continues... Let´s see how the "decorations" of the pavillion are.
Originally posted by DMC-12
It is a legitimate question though... it would of been asked ..If not today... then eventually.:wave:
Yes it is a legitimate question but I do not think today is appropriate for it.God bless the crew of Columbia.Also, it was Apollo I not Apollo II that the crew died in the fire.
wild01ride
Well-Known Member
I agree with Maria- I think that it woul dbe most appropriate AND positive to commemorate both the successes and losses of the Space Program.
God Bless America and those who we lost today.
God Bless America and those who we lost today.
Snoballego
Active Member
Mission: Space Feelings after 3/01/03
First, let me express my own personal condolences for the seven brave men and women of the Spaceship Columbia that did not make it home this morning. They were true heroes. My prayers and thoughts are with their family, friends, and all the people of NASA during this tragic time. May their memory and spirit be a light for people every where.
While working in Orlando, I had the pleasure and honor to experience a launch of the Endeavor at Cape Canaveral. I believe anyone who has ever witnessed a shuttle launch before can agree that it leaves you with a true pure feeling of awe and discovery that can not be duplicated. The respect and admiration I have for everyone at NASA is immeasurable.
Ultimately, NASA’s mission to discover space will and must continue. I do believe it will be an indefinite period of time until we witness NASA’s 114th excursion in to space. This is mainly due to two reasons. First, the people of NASA will now designate all of their resources into the investigation of this tragedy. Finally, there needs to be a period of morning. After the unfortunate end of shuttle mission STS-107 in 1986 – there was a 30 month moratorium on launches. There were five more shuttle launches planned for 2003. I don’t personally think we will see another launch in 2003, but with the status, development, and investment of the International Space Station launches may need to come sooner then a grieving period may allow.
This tragedy will inevitably bring a lot of news and attention to the space program. The Walt Disney Company will analyze the sensitivity of this issue. Not only because its next major e-ride attraction focused on the space program, but due to the fact that the Walt Disney World Resort is a close neighbor of NASA in central Florida.
I challenge anyone who grumbles that this event may push back that opening of the attraction Mission: Space. We must remember seven lives were lost. The following are two key ideal times for the attraction to open, in respect to the day’s events:
1) Just in the past week, NASA observed the anniversary of its only two other space tragedies, the Challenger explosion on Jan. 28, 1986, and the Apollo spacecraft fire that killed three on Jan. 27, 1967. Now, with today’s tragedy (Feb. 1st), I would have no objection of them opening the attraction during this same week next year. It would memorialize all three crews.
2) After the completion of the next excursion into Space, which could be anywhere from 6 months to 18 months from now.
Thank you for taking your time to read this and I’ll leave you with this:
"The same creator who names the stars also knows the names of the seven souls we mourn today…The crew of the shuttle Columbia did not return safely to Earth but we can pray they are safely home." --George W. Bush
Sincerely,
Snoballego
First, let me express my own personal condolences for the seven brave men and women of the Spaceship Columbia that did not make it home this morning. They were true heroes. My prayers and thoughts are with their family, friends, and all the people of NASA during this tragic time. May their memory and spirit be a light for people every where.
While working in Orlando, I had the pleasure and honor to experience a launch of the Endeavor at Cape Canaveral. I believe anyone who has ever witnessed a shuttle launch before can agree that it leaves you with a true pure feeling of awe and discovery that can not be duplicated. The respect and admiration I have for everyone at NASA is immeasurable.
Ultimately, NASA’s mission to discover space will and must continue. I do believe it will be an indefinite period of time until we witness NASA’s 114th excursion in to space. This is mainly due to two reasons. First, the people of NASA will now designate all of their resources into the investigation of this tragedy. Finally, there needs to be a period of morning. After the unfortunate end of shuttle mission STS-107 in 1986 – there was a 30 month moratorium on launches. There were five more shuttle launches planned for 2003. I don’t personally think we will see another launch in 2003, but with the status, development, and investment of the International Space Station launches may need to come sooner then a grieving period may allow.
This tragedy will inevitably bring a lot of news and attention to the space program. The Walt Disney Company will analyze the sensitivity of this issue. Not only because its next major e-ride attraction focused on the space program, but due to the fact that the Walt Disney World Resort is a close neighbor of NASA in central Florida.
I challenge anyone who grumbles that this event may push back that opening of the attraction Mission: Space. We must remember seven lives were lost. The following are two key ideal times for the attraction to open, in respect to the day’s events:
1) Just in the past week, NASA observed the anniversary of its only two other space tragedies, the Challenger explosion on Jan. 28, 1986, and the Apollo spacecraft fire that killed three on Jan. 27, 1967. Now, with today’s tragedy (Feb. 1st), I would have no objection of them opening the attraction during this same week next year. It would memorialize all three crews.
2) After the completion of the next excursion into Space, which could be anywhere from 6 months to 18 months from now.
Thank you for taking your time to read this and I’ll leave you with this:
"The same creator who names the stars also knows the names of the seven souls we mourn today…The crew of the shuttle Columbia did not return safely to Earth but we can pray they are safely home." --George W. Bush
Sincerely,
Snoballego
figmentmom
Well-Known Member
Yes, Fievel. Well said.
ToTBellHop
Well-Known Member
Given that the shuttle program has had little over 100 flights, in addition to the flights before the shuttle program, I think they could fit a tribute to every American astronaut in this attraction--we have already seen the plaques on the outside queue, so I would guess there will be many on the inside, as well. Definitely expect a picture of the team in the post-show. Realize that while Americans may have thought, prior to yesterday morning, that space flights had become run-of-the-mill, NASA does not feel the same way. They have been quite proud of every flight they have led over the years, and given that NASA is working with Disney on the pre- and post-show exhibits for this attraction, expect to see something about all of these flights--part of the educational content of this attraction will involve learning about what NASA has done over the past few years while most of us didn't really keep up with it--the most interesting thing the news agencies would show us was the shuttles taking off.
That is why I take the perspective that yesterday's tragedy may make this attraction even better for all of us, because it has created, quite abruptly, an interest in the Space Program from the viewpoints of the Americans--whereas Disney may have thought people would see exhibits about every NASA spaceflight as boring before now, I think people would be much more interested in them now, which, again, could lead to an increase in the educational aspect of the attraction.
Many are saying this could hurt NASA and the Space Program, but I see it as the opposite. Much as Sept. 11th revitalized American patriotism, I think this will revitalize American interest in the Space Program, including the ISS and Mars Program. While this is a tragic accident, I think we would be doing the astronauts who died a disservice if we halted all space discovery--they gave their lives for this discovery, and would want it to continue. Likewise, they, and all of NASA, will appreciate something that can bring the Space Program to everyone--perhaps by better understanding it, people will be more supportive.
Keep in mind, by necessity if nothing else, NASA space travel will continue by early summer, before Mission: SPACE opens. It must continue due to the ISS. Therefore, construction, not February 1, 2003, will delay this project. I would think people would be more eager than ever to learn about the Space Program, now...(see, I was able to pull that back to M:S )
That is why I take the perspective that yesterday's tragedy may make this attraction even better for all of us, because it has created, quite abruptly, an interest in the Space Program from the viewpoints of the Americans--whereas Disney may have thought people would see exhibits about every NASA spaceflight as boring before now, I think people would be much more interested in them now, which, again, could lead to an increase in the educational aspect of the attraction.
Many are saying this could hurt NASA and the Space Program, but I see it as the opposite. Much as Sept. 11th revitalized American patriotism, I think this will revitalize American interest in the Space Program, including the ISS and Mars Program. While this is a tragic accident, I think we would be doing the astronauts who died a disservice if we halted all space discovery--they gave their lives for this discovery, and would want it to continue. Likewise, they, and all of NASA, will appreciate something that can bring the Space Program to everyone--perhaps by better understanding it, people will be more supportive.
Keep in mind, by necessity if nothing else, NASA space travel will continue by early summer, before Mission: SPACE opens. It must continue due to the ISS. Therefore, construction, not February 1, 2003, will delay this project. I would think people would be more eager than ever to learn about the Space Program, now...(see, I was able to pull that back to M:S
)
tenchu
Well-Known Member
Originally posted by DogsRule!
Given that the shuttle program has had little over 100 flights, in addition to the flights before the shuttle program, I think they could fit a tribute to every American astronaut in this attraction--we have already seen the plaques on the outside queue, so I would guess there will be many on the inside, as well. Definitely expect a picture of the team in the post-show. Realize that while Americans may have thought, prior to yesterday morning, that space flights had become run-of-the-mill, NASA does not feel the same way. They have been quite proud of every flight they have led over the years, and given that NASA is working with Disney on the pre- and post-show exhibits for this attraction, expect to see something about all of these flights--part of the educational content of this attraction will involve learning about what NASA has done over the past few years while most of us didn't really keep up with it--the most interesting thing the news agencies would show us was the shuttles taking off.
That is why I take the perspective that yesterday's tragedy may make this attraction even better for all of us, because it has created, quite abruptly, an interest in the Space Program from the viewpoints of the Americans--whereas Disney may have thought people would see exhibits about every NASA spaceflight as boring before now, I think people would be much more interested in them now, which, again, could lead to an increase in the educational aspect of the attraction.
Many are saying this could hurt NASA and the Space Program, but I see it as the opposite. Much as Sept. 11th revitalized American patriotism, I think this will revitalize American interest in the Space Program, including the ISS and Mars Program. While this is a tragic accident, I think we would be doing the astronauts who died a disservice if we halted all space discovery--they gave their lives for this discovery, and would want it to continue. Likewise, they, and all of NASA, will appreciate something that can bring the Space Program to everyone--perhaps by better understanding it, people will be more supportive.
Keep in mind, by necessity if nothing else, NASA space travel will continue by early summer, before Mission: SPACE opens. It must continue due to the ISS. Therefore, construction, not February 1, 2003, will delay this project. I would think people would be more eager than ever to learn about the Space Program, now...(see, I was able to pull that back to M:S
Why should they only dedicate it to the astronauts?
I think it would be appropriate to mention any space traveller, be they astronaut or cosmonaut.
ToTBellHop
Well-Known Member
space travelers, then. Remember that you have to draw a line somewhere. World-wide, there have been a LOT of space missions--perhaps just a large plaque with ALL of their names on it and highlights of the most significant flights--I would think landing on the moon would get a larger exhibit than some other flights.