Shuttle Columbia breaks up during re-enry
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Lets NEVER give up guys.....
I was a young and brash 19 when I witnessed with total awe live the first launch of Columbia in 1981. My heart flew to the stars with the brave two on this day, and with the miracle of human endevour and the instinctive desire for mankind to always do and achieve more....
How sadly prophetic it would be if we all viewed the tragedy of today as a reflection of the way of the world in 2003 may be going. We must not. Those brave and visionary 7 would only see the big picture of the beauty of our humble earth as the essential and fundemental key to the future as they commenced re-entry just 9 hours ago..
Their astonishing sad loss must be a reminder to us all how fragile life is.... but also how we must all 'never give up' on our inbuilt passion to push forward to the 'final frontier'
May you all rest in peace the crew of Columbia.
God Bless you All.
How sadly prophetic it would be if we all viewed the tragedy of today as a reflection of the way of the world in 2003 may be going. We must not. Those brave and visionary 7 would only see the big picture of the beauty of our humble earth as the essential and fundemental key to the future as they commenced re-entry just 9 hours ago..
Their astonishing sad loss must be a reminder to us all how fragile life is.... but also how we must all 'never give up' on our inbuilt passion to push forward to the 'final frontier'
May you all rest in peace the crew of Columbia.
God Bless you All.
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The sensor loss was progressive, i.e., sensors were initially lost at the rear of the left wing and subsequently more-forward sensors were lost. The sensors apparently did not show abnormal values, but suddenly dropped off-line. The sensors were not channeled through the same signal processor or multiplexer.
The piece of foam insulation debris that struck the left wing during launch ascent apparently hit the leading edge.
An astronomer (working for CalTech's (and NASA's) Jet Propulsion Laboratory) observed flashes of light from the shuttle over Owens Valley California. It is unclear whether these might have been pieces of the shuttle peeling away or plasma.
The piece of foam insulation debris that struck the left wing during launch ascent apparently hit the leading edge.
An astronomer (working for CalTech's (and NASA's) Jet Propulsion Laboratory) observed flashes of light from the shuttle over Owens Valley California. It is unclear whether these might have been pieces of the shuttle peeling away or plasma.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Break-up occured at 207,000ft at M18.3, NASA reports this to be the point of highest temperature stress.
The FAA reports a debris cloud 90 miles long and 25-30 miles wide. Pilots are requested to avoid. Light debris is expected to continue to fall for several hours.
The FAA reports a debris cloud 90 miles long and 25-30 miles wide. Pilots are requested to avoid. Light debris is expected to continue to fall for several hours.
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Its pioneering technology / science,and it has inevitible risks.
Those 7 astronauts are heros,they will forever be remembered,now,10 years,100 years time,never forgotten.
Those 7 astronauts are heros,they will forever be remembered,now,10 years,100 years time,never forgotten.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Presidential Address
Video
My fellow Americans, this day has brought terrible news and great sadness to our country. At 9 o'clock this morning, Mission Control in Houston lost contact with our space shuttle Columbia. A short time later, debris was seen falling from the skies above Texas.
The Columbia's lost. There are no survivors.
Onboard was a crew of seven -- Colonel Rick Husband, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Anderson, Commander Laurel Clark, Captain David Brown, Commander William McCool, Dr. Kalpana Chawla, and Ilan Ramon a colonel in the Israeli air force.
These men and women assumed great risk in this service to all humanity. In an age when space flight has come to seem almost routine, it is easy to overlook the dangers of travel by rocket and the difficulties of navigating the fierce outer atmosphere of the earth.
These astronauts knew the dangers, and they faced them willingly, knowing they had a high and noble purpose in life. Because of their courage and daring and idealism, we will miss them all the more.
All Americans today are thinking, as well, of the families of these men and women who have been given this sudden shock and grief. You're not alone. Our entire nation grieves with you. And those you loved will always have the respect and gratitude of this country.
The cause in which they died will continue. Mankind is led into the darkness beyond our world by the inspiration of discovery and the longing to understand. Our journey into space will go on.
In the skies today, we saw destruction and tragedy. Yet farther than we can see, there is comfort and hope.
In the words of the prophet Isaiah, "Lift your eyes and look to the heavens. Who created all these? He who brings out the starry hosts one by one and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing."
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, yet we can pray that all are safely home.
May God bless the grieving families, and may God continue to bless America.
My fellow Americans, this day has brought terrible news and great sadness to our country. At 9 o'clock this morning, Mission Control in Houston lost contact with our space shuttle Columbia. A short time later, debris was seen falling from the skies above Texas.
The Columbia's lost. There are no survivors.
Onboard was a crew of seven -- Colonel Rick Husband, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Anderson, Commander Laurel Clark, Captain David Brown, Commander William McCool, Dr. Kalpana Chawla, and Ilan Ramon a colonel in the Israeli air force.
These men and women assumed great risk in this service to all humanity. In an age when space flight has come to seem almost routine, it is easy to overlook the dangers of travel by rocket and the difficulties of navigating the fierce outer atmosphere of the earth.
These astronauts knew the dangers, and they faced them willingly, knowing they had a high and noble purpose in life. Because of their courage and daring and idealism, we will miss them all the more.
All Americans today are thinking, as well, of the families of these men and women who have been given this sudden shock and grief. You're not alone. Our entire nation grieves with you. And those you loved will always have the respect and gratitude of this country.
The cause in which they died will continue. Mankind is led into the darkness beyond our world by the inspiration of discovery and the longing to understand. Our journey into space will go on.
In the skies today, we saw destruction and tragedy. Yet farther than we can see, there is comfort and hope.
In the words of the prophet Isaiah, "Lift your eyes and look to the heavens. Who created all these? He who brings out the starry hosts one by one and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing."
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, yet we can pray that all are safely home.
May God bless the grieving families, and may God continue to bless America.
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NASA news conference said that one of the indepentent enquiry boards formed of people from outside NASA is appointed before every shuttle flight. Therefore, my speculation that twenty minutes was too short a time to put together soch a group and get it working was wrong. My apologoies to all concerned.
Discussion in the conference on debris coming off the main tank was on foam rather than ice coming loose. The foam may have impacted the underside of the left wing somewhere between the wing tip and half way between the tip and the root causing an undetermined amount of damage. Loss of sensor readings and rising temperature readings in the final minutes all came from the left wing and left landing gear area.
This damage by the foam looks as though it may have happened too late in the launch (over the ocean) for the detached tiles to have been recovered and the damage assessed that way.
Discussion in the conference on debris coming off the main tank was on foam rather than ice coming loose. The foam may have impacted the underside of the left wing somewhere between the wing tip and half way between the tip and the root causing an undetermined amount of damage. Loss of sensor readings and rising temperature readings in the final minutes all came from the left wing and left landing gear area.
This damage by the foam looks as though it may have happened too late in the launch (over the ocean) for the detached tiles to have been recovered and the damage assessed that way.
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As our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the past crew, may we remeber them aswell as pioneers, brave and unique people.
The news conference on NASA TV has just ended at around 2200z and should be another one tomorrow.
Like others say, I suppose we do take for granted these missions and easily forget the enormity of the risk taken each time.
May we not also forget the 5 Russians who died in a similiar accident previously.
It seems like yesterday I was tunning into a UHF frequency on the scanner to hear a shuttle shortly after take-off heading for the ISS, along with thousands of others in Europe when we heard them talk of taken the pictures of the E.T (External tank not extra terristerial)
May the RIP and not be forgotten
The news conference on NASA TV has just ended at around 2200z and should be another one tomorrow.
Like others say, I suppose we do take for granted these missions and easily forget the enormity of the risk taken each time.
May we not also forget the 5 Russians who died in a similiar accident previously.
It seems like yesterday I was tunning into a UHF frequency on the scanner to hear a shuttle shortly after take-off heading for the ISS, along with thousands of others in Europe when we heard them talk of taken the pictures of the E.T (External tank not extra terristerial)
May the RIP and not be forgotten
Scourge of Bad Airline Management!
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I landed today (I'm a student PPL) to hear this dreadful news....
The only words I can add are those of Walt Whitman - they just seem so appropriate.....
Darest thou now O soul,
Walk out with me toward the unknown region,
Where neither ground is for the feet nor any path to follow.
No map there, no guide,
Nor voice sounding, nor touch of human hand,
Nor face with blooming flesh, nor lips, nor eyes, are in that land.
I know it not O soul,
Nor dost thou, all is a blank before us,
All waits undreamed of in that region, that inaccessible land.
Till when the ties loosen,
All but the ties eternal, time and space,
Nor darkness, gravitation, sense, nor any bounds bounding us.
Then we burst forth, we float,
In time and space O soul, prepared for them,
Equal, equipt at last, (O joy! O fruit of all!) them to fulfil O soul.
Clive James once described his idea of heaven as "to be so far up there is no down".
With deepest condolences.
TA
The only words I can add are those of Walt Whitman - they just seem so appropriate.....
Darest thou now O soul,
Walk out with me toward the unknown region,
Where neither ground is for the feet nor any path to follow.
No map there, no guide,
Nor voice sounding, nor touch of human hand,
Nor face with blooming flesh, nor lips, nor eyes, are in that land.
I know it not O soul,
Nor dost thou, all is a blank before us,
All waits undreamed of in that region, that inaccessible land.
Till when the ties loosen,
All but the ties eternal, time and space,
Nor darkness, gravitation, sense, nor any bounds bounding us.
Then we burst forth, we float,
In time and space O soul, prepared for them,
Equal, equipt at last, (O joy! O fruit of all!) them to fulfil O soul.
Clive James once described his idea of heaven as "to be so far up there is no down".
With deepest condolences.
TA
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I spent a couple of days with my friends at the Cape earlier this week, cursing my luck that my roster didn't allow me to be there today to watch the landing. Always a special event. I won't add to the foregoing speculation on this thread. I was on line (as usual) watching the whole process from before de-orbit burn onwards. It was all going so well until the final seconds. Like everyone else I still feel rather numb.
I thought I might add a personal note on Rick Husband (CDR), who made a number of good friends over here in the UK when he did an exchange tour with the RAF as a test pilot at Boscombe, back in 1992. He was in fact a Project Pilot on the Tornado. Many friends mourn the loss of a great guy and six other equally high-achievers. RIP.
The program will go on.
I thought I might add a personal note on Rick Husband (CDR), who made a number of good friends over here in the UK when he did an exchange tour with the RAF as a test pilot at Boscombe, back in 1992. He was in fact a Project Pilot on the Tornado. Many friends mourn the loss of a great guy and six other equally high-achievers. RIP.
The program will go on.
Driving home last night, somebody fired a roman candle, or similar fireworks, moving to the left from just over the trees on the right side. It popped into several bright balls. What a sad, strange omen, when the first images on tv today for us were almost identical images from very high altitude-also going to the left. I had searched NASA's websites last night, as on a few others, for the fascinating photos of any shuttle's cockpit system panels, whose flight displays were to receive a second upgrade, to better portray horizontal and vertical flight profiles-and what a complex layout of 02 pump switches, digital data bus switches etc.
Let's hope that their families, especially any children, can somehow cope with it, and were warned beforehand of the dangers.
Let's hope that their families, especially any children, can somehow cope with it, and were warned beforehand of the dangers.
Last edited by Ignition Override; 2nd Feb 2003 at 03:49.
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As if to reinforce how different a reentry accident is from the kinds of aviation accidents we traditionally consider...
A current route briefing from HOU to CLT carries the FDC NOTAM one would expect:
However, the thing that really chilled me to the bone was this:
A SIGMET for shuttle debris. Certainly logical, but to me, simply stunning, none-the-less. What a tragedy. Condolences to all concerned.
Dave
A current route briefing from HOU to CLT carries the FDC NOTAM one would expect:
FDC NOTAMs
!FDC 3/0865 ZHU FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS TEXAS AND LOUISIANA
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
PURSUANT TO 14 CFR SECTION 91.137(A)(1) TEMPORARY FLIGHT
RESTRICTIONS ARE IN EFFECT DUE TO SEARCH AND RESCUE EFFORTS
ASSOCIATED WITH THE SPACE SHUTTLE COLUMBIA ACCIDENT. ONLY RELIEF
AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF SEADS (SOUTHEAST AIR
DEFENSE SECTOR) ARE AUTHORIZED AT AND BELOW 3000 FEET MSL WITHIN
THE AIRSPACE FROM 323700N/961900W AND THE CEDAR CREEK /CQY/
VORTAC 343 DEGREE RADIAL AT 26.3 NAUTICAL MILES TO 314000N/931700W
AND THE POLK /FXU/ VORTAC 349 DEGREE RADIAL AT 33.4 NAUTICAL MILES
TO 310000N/933800W AND THE POLK /FXU/ VORTAC 248 DEGREE RADIAL AT
22.4 NAUTICAL MILES TO 320000N/963600W AND THE CEDAR CREEK /CQY/
VORTAC 234 DEGREE RADIAL AT 22.4 NAUTICAL MILES TO 323700N/961900W
AND THE CEDAR CREEK /CQY/ VORTAC 343 DEGREE RADIAL AT 26.3 NAUTICAL
MILES UNLESS OTHERWISE AUTHORIZED BY ATC. SEADS MCC, 850-283-5207,
IS IN CHARGE OF THE OPERATION. FORT WORTH CENTER, 817-858-7503, IS
THE FAA COORDINATION FACILITY.
!FDC 3/0865 ZHU FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS TEXAS AND LOUISIANA
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
PURSUANT TO 14 CFR SECTION 91.137(A)(1) TEMPORARY FLIGHT
RESTRICTIONS ARE IN EFFECT DUE TO SEARCH AND RESCUE EFFORTS
ASSOCIATED WITH THE SPACE SHUTTLE COLUMBIA ACCIDENT. ONLY RELIEF
AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF SEADS (SOUTHEAST AIR
DEFENSE SECTOR) ARE AUTHORIZED AT AND BELOW 3000 FEET MSL WITHIN
THE AIRSPACE FROM 323700N/961900W AND THE CEDAR CREEK /CQY/
VORTAC 343 DEGREE RADIAL AT 26.3 NAUTICAL MILES TO 314000N/931700W
AND THE POLK /FXU/ VORTAC 349 DEGREE RADIAL AT 33.4 NAUTICAL MILES
TO 310000N/933800W AND THE POLK /FXU/ VORTAC 248 DEGREE RADIAL AT
22.4 NAUTICAL MILES TO 320000N/963600W AND THE CEDAR CREEK /CQY/
VORTAC 234 DEGREE RADIAL AT 22.4 NAUTICAL MILES TO 323700N/961900W
AND THE CEDAR CREEK /CQY/ VORTAC 343 DEGREE RADIAL AT 26.3 NAUTICAL
MILES UNLESS OTHERWISE AUTHORIZED BY ATC. SEADS MCC, 850-283-5207,
IS IN CHARGE OF THE OPERATION. FORT WORTH CENTER, 817-858-7503, IS
THE FAA COORDINATION FACILITY.
SIGMETs
Dallas-Fort Worth SIGMET, prepared on the 1st at 2:40pm CST (2040Z).
SIGMET November 1 valid until the 1st at 6:40pm CST (0040Z).
Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas
From Longview TXUS [GGG]
to 30 miles north of Baton Rouge LAUS [BTR]
to 20 miles south of Baton Rouge LAUS [BTR]
to 30 miles south of Longview TXUS [GGG]
to Longview TXUS [GGG]
SIGMET for SHUTTLE DEBRIS between 9,000 feet and 15,000 feet moving
east-southeastward 35 knots. FAA ADVISES CAUTION this area. Conditions
continuing beyond 6:40pm CST (0040Z). North River [JNR NDB]
Dallas-Fort Worth SIGMET, prepared on the 1st at 2:40pm CST (2040Z).
SIGMET November 1 valid until the 1st at 6:40pm CST (0040Z).
Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas
From Longview TXUS [GGG]
to 30 miles north of Baton Rouge LAUS [BTR]
to 20 miles south of Baton Rouge LAUS [BTR]
to 30 miles south of Longview TXUS [GGG]
to Longview TXUS [GGG]
SIGMET for SHUTTLE DEBRIS between 9,000 feet and 15,000 feet moving
east-southeastward 35 knots. FAA ADVISES CAUTION this area. Conditions
continuing beyond 6:40pm CST (0040Z). North River [JNR NDB]
A SIGMET for shuttle debris. Certainly logical, but to me, simply stunning, none-the-less. What a tragedy. Condolences to all concerned.
Dave
Evertonian
So many scenarios, so much to speculate, so sad a day.
They say time heals all wounds, but can it heal the dreams of humanity as it reaches for the stars & the future. As with all pioneers, the crew of Columbia will be remembered, their spirit will ignite the pioneering spirit of the next generation of astronauts. Remember, those of us who are "earthbound misfits" can only dream of flying where they have flown. The crew of Columbia got to live their dreams, the risk was acceptable to them and they moved the human race so much further forward with their endeavour.
They say time heals all wounds, but can it heal the dreams of humanity as it reaches for the stars & the future. As with all pioneers, the crew of Columbia will be remembered, their spirit will ignite the pioneering spirit of the next generation of astronauts. Remember, those of us who are "earthbound misfits" can only dream of flying where they have flown. The crew of Columbia got to live their dreams, the risk was acceptable to them and they moved the human race so much further forward with their endeavour.
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At our church today, the pastor said, "It is an old saying that 'the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.' We can update that to say, 'The blood of our fallen explorers is what will propel us forward to continue the exploration of our universe.' This terrible accident will not stop us; it will only give us more reason to continue their work and not be tethered to earth."
Or words to that effect; I am going from memory.
Or words to that effect; I am going from memory.
Although I can't claim to have known him well, I happened to be flying with the same squadron as Rick Husband when he was selected for Shuttle training. His Emails back went up on the noticeboard showed clearly his dedication and excitement in what he was doing. He was a very highly regarded, able, liked and professional Test Pilot.
I'm sure that in different ways this was true of all of the crew, notwithstanding the dangers they all understood better than any of us they considered the risk that went with it. We should celebrate that dedication, and ensure that what they believed in carries on, whilst grieving their loss.
G
I'm sure that in different ways this was true of all of the crew, notwithstanding the dangers they all understood better than any of us they considered the risk that went with it. We should celebrate that dedication, and ensure that what they believed in carries on, whilst grieving their loss.
G
Pilots' Pal
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Various warnings to members of the public mention the hazardous nature of some parts of the STS. Orbital fuel is comprised, in part, of hydrazine. Here is some MSDS information
Hydrazine
Hydrazine
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A very sad day for everyone. RIP the entire crew and our thoughts are with the families and everyone that works on the NASA programme.
What really disgusted me was the headline that Sky News ran with yesterday an hour or two after the accident happened. It was basically "The space shuttle Columbia has been lost on re-entry, it's the 2nd fatal accident to hit the shuttle fleet in only 20 years". Now I think we'll all agree that what NASA have achieved since day 1 of the shuttle programme has been absolutely amazing and I think the fact they've been able to go soo long without an accident is also just as amazing. I almost phoned Sky to complain about that headline!
What really disgusted me was the headline that Sky News ran with yesterday an hour or two after the accident happened. It was basically "The space shuttle Columbia has been lost on re-entry, it's the 2nd fatal accident to hit the shuttle fleet in only 20 years". Now I think we'll all agree that what NASA have achieved since day 1 of the shuttle programme has been absolutely amazing and I think the fact they've been able to go soo long without an accident is also just as amazing. I almost phoned Sky to complain about that headline!