Space Shuttle Launch: Return to Flight

[hm0504]

Tomorrow, if all goes according to plan, the Space Shuttle Discovery will launch, two years after the loss of Columbia.

Of the 113 launches, 2 crews have not returned safely to the launch pad. And, of course, many crew members go up more than once. By my calculations, that is one heck of a risky business. Of course we know it is, but we also know exploring is a core part of what makes us human. Anyway, I just wanted to share my admiration for those women and men who fly on the shuttles and those working feverishly on the ground to make sure all goes well.

Godspeed Discovery.

http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/

[hm0504]

Tomorrow, if all goes according to plan, the Space Shuttle Discovery will launch, two years after the loss of Columbia.

Of the 113 launches, 2 crews have not returned safely to the launch pad. And, of course, many crew members go up more than once. By my calculations, that is one heck of a risky business. Of course we know it is, but we also know exploring is a core part of what makes us human. Anyway, I just wanted to share my admiration for those women and men who fly on the shuttles and those working feverishly on the ground to make sure all goes well.

Godspeed Discovery.

http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/

[Qikdraw]

While I have a good amont of admiration for these people, I do wish we would explore our oceans more than space. Space can't feed us, the oceans can.

Not to say that space hasn't helped us, but I think a greater treasure is in the ocean.

Something funny that popped into my head as I was writing this...

The US spent a million dollars in designing a pen that will work in outer space. The Russians? They used a pencil.

Qikdraw

[barbararuth]

One of the things that is extra special about living in Central Florida is to be able to see the shuttle go up into space. The huge fireball can be seen even in Orlando.. at least an hours drive from the coast. It is particularly spectacular at night as the flames light up the skies. I hope someday to be near the launchpad to hear the loud roar and feel the ground shake. I hope this launch goes up as planned and wish the crew God speed and a successful mission.

[PascoDoug]

quote:

Originally posted by barbararuth:
One of the things that is extra special about living in Central Florida is to be able to see the shuttle go up into space. The huge fireball can be seen even in Orlando.. at least an hours drive from the coast. It is particularly spectacular at night as the flames light up the skies. I hope someday to be near the launchpad to hear the loud roar and feel the ground shake. I hope this launch goes up as planned and wish the crew God speed and a successful mission.

We can see the shuttle launch even here in Tampa Bay if the conditions are right.

I heard and felt the booms from today's successful launch a little while ago.

[rascal56]

GRwat launch,we can see from Orlando. Awesome!!!

[Paniga]

video of what appeared to be some kind of debris falling off Discovery during launch prompted questions that NASA officials said they couldn't immediately answer.

[naturalmanwa]

I feel that officials are concerned about the debris seen falling off at launch even more so in view of past events. No one wants to see a fireball on launch or landing and try to look for what's left of the crew. Flight has always had its risks, from the early days on and probably always will. I agree that more time should be spent exploring the oceans for many reasons, food and drinking water not the only ones.

[Chance]

I tell ya', Those space shuttles are really cool. What interests me the most is that it goes 5 miles-per-second. That is fast! Second comes the fuel. I sure hope that this mission goes right, and that they can fix that piece of insulation in space. If they can't, then I hope that it does not effect them.