Shuttle Fleet grounded.

[andrew_c]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/space/07/27/space.shuttle/index.html

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Florida (CNN) -- There will be no more shuttle launches until NASA engineers determine the effect of debris that fell from the shuttle Discovery during blastoff Tuesday, said Bill Parsons, space shuttle program manager.

[B757300]

Thankfully the debris didn't hit Discovery.

[MaxPower]

I knew this would come,,

I heard that when they cancelled the launch 2 weeks ago, they searched after the indicated problem by the computer, till this day I read that they still didnt found out that "problem" but dicided this time to launch the Discovery anyway.. When Columbia was launched , a relatively big piece of a protective "shell" (dont know the term for it) cracked up. allowing extremely hot gasses spewed and got inside the wing, destroying what can be melted, anyway this time what popped away from Discovery was in size of small popcorns, I hope this is nothing more then that...

Discovery, I wish you a safe return to Earth..


Btw, Im so not into Space "aviation"

anyway how many Space-crafts do NASA have ??

[Cam]

I hope they have a safe return, but I also hope they find a better way to get into space.

The shuttle program IMO is crap. These things are sooo damn expensive to launch it's almost not worth it anymore. We need to find an alternative to the current methods of entering space.

If we can buy a ticket get on a plane and fly non-stop around the world, I think if we really put our minds to it we can do the same for space travel, and I do think the current projects fro cheap space travel that are on the go, public or private are very hopeful...

[chrisburns]

Wow a tile fell of the front main gear door, I remember learning about 100-150 tiles come off the spacecraft each mission

[FlyingPhotog]

Wow a tile fell of the front main gear door, I remember learning about 100-150 tiles come off the spacecraft each mission

I know, that's what I remember hearing too. It's weird that they're just now concerned about it after how many missions since 1980? Maybe the shuttle's age has made it more fragile to me damaged, but I doubt it.

[NWA 757 351]

anyway how many Space-crafts do NASA have ??

They have three operational now: Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour.

I hope they have a safe return, but I also hope they find a better way to get into space.

The shuttle program IMO is crap. These things are sooo damn expensive to launch it's almost not worth it anymore. We need to find an alternative to the current methods of entering space.

As much as I used to love NASA, I have to agree with you. It's time NASA grounds the shuttle program permanently and go full throttle developing the new space transports that are due in at 2010. After god knows how many billions of taxpayer dollars has been wasted trying to solve the safety problems, it's time they stop throwing good money after bad.

[ASpilot2be]

Speaking og space shuttles, I just watched one of my favorite movies, Armageddon(sp?)

Sorry for the thread hijack.