Will the Space Shuttle Discovery launch this weekend for a 'pedestrian mission'?

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The space shuttle Discovery is set to launch on a mission deemed "pedestrian" by NASA, with liftoff initially scheduled for Saturday but postponed due to weather. Concerns about safety and management practices have been raised, particularly regarding foam shedding from the fuel tank, which some engineers argue should be addressed before launching. Despite these concerns, NASA's head, Mr. Griffin, has overruled engineers, asserting that the risk of a foam incident is not significant. The discussion also touches on the role of Russian Soyuz rockets in supporting the International Space Station (ISS) during shuttle groundings. Ultimately, the mission successfully launched and returned safely, marking a significant achievement for NASA.
Rach3
Depending on the weather in Florida, possibly tomorrow (Saturday), otherwise next Tuesday:
CAPE CANAVERAL, June 30 — The space shuttle Discovery and its seven astronauts are to roar into orbit on Saturday afternoon on what NASA managers call "a rather pedestrian mission" that nevertheless has a great deal riding on it.

Liftoff is scheduled for 3:49...
New York Times

(That's 3:49 PM EST or 20:49 GMT.)

As to questions of safety, or of whether the awful management of NASA has improved at all since Columbia (or for that matter, Richard Feynman and the Challenger committee), I find the following two quotes taken together, err, illuminating:
On Friday, Mr. Griffin defended that decision, contrasting the open discussion with the process that led up to the Columbia disaster, in which managers were found to have squelched dissent. This month's preflight review was a healthy exchange of ideas and decision-making about difficult issues, he said, adding, "What you're seeing is a good process."
During NASA's preflight review this month, some leading engineers argued against launching the current mission until areas of the fuel tank that still shed small amounts of foam could be redesigned.

But Mr. Griffin, the head of the space agency, overruled the engineers, saying he did not agree with their assertion that a foam incident was "probable" over the life of the program and that the result would be "catastrophic."
(both from page 2 of the NYT article)
 
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What are the definite consequences for keeping the shuttle grounded longer?
 
Pengwuino said:
What are the definite consequences for keeping the shuttle grounded longer?

None really, the Russians can rescue the ISS guys when they run out of food.
 
So the ISS is just going to basically become useless?
 
I wonder what the rush is. I heard yesterday that the engineers gave a 'unanimous go ahead' on the launch so this was strange to hear.

50 million for a space flight... come on... i wouldn't pay no 50 million to be launched into space as a tourist.
 
Pengwuino said:
I wonder what the rush is.
Pressure from PR offices, high-ranking politicians, and management hack Michael Griffin.

50 million for a space flight... come on... i wouldn't pay no 50 million to be launched into space as a tourist.
Of course not. That's why they have a discount for tourists - only $20 million round trip! :biggrin:
 
Sweet, something i can squeeze into my budget!
 
  • #10
Wishing them all a very safe flight.
 
  • #11
hypatia said:
Wishing them all a very safe flight.

With you on that.

Clear skies, open eyes, VISION!

A PFB Hoping
 
  • #13
Cancelled for weather, next launch attempt tomorrow (Sunday) at 3:26 PM EST, according to CNN.

(20:26 GMT)
 
  • #14
No, canceled because everyone was watching brasil and France on the world cup :smile:
 
  • #15
cyrusabdollahi said:
No, canceled because everyone was watching brasil and France on the world cup :smile:

Copy That!
Network violation.
Try again in 24 hours.
Hope for a channel clearing.
 
  • #16
Seems to be enough water up thar in them skies to scrub real good today.

Please pass the floating foam duckie and tearless shampoo.

YO-HO!~
 
  • #18
NO! THEY SCRUBBED IT! tuesday at 2:38 Eastern time.
 
  • #19
rocketboy said:
NO! THEY SCRUBBED IT! tuesday at 2:38 Eastern time.


Sorry Rocketboy, They justed scrubbed the launch again.

But is that going to be one REALLY clean shuttle huh?!~
 
  • #20
Shoshana said:
Sorry Rocketboy, They justed scrubbed the launch again.

But is that going to be one REALLY clean shuttle huh?!~

:smile: hopefully they don't scrub it too much or the panels might weaken.
 
  • #21
rocketboy said:
:smile: hopefully they don't scrub it too much or the panels might weaken.


Probably not Rocketboy,

They are using Softsoap & cotton balls.

See you on the 4th for Lift-Off!
 
  • #22
About an hour to go now, I think...
 
  • #23
Hawknc said:
About an hour to go now, I think...

Okie Dokie!

Put away rubber Duckie.
Been watching the crew struggle into the seats for some time.

The usual wishes for a safe mission.

Standing by...
 
  • #24
About 14 minutes to go, near the end of the T-9 hold. Looking good so far. :cool:
 
  • #25
Everything is a GO
The countdown clock T- 7 minutes and counting...
 
  • #26
t minus 5 mintues 30 seconds and counting
 
  • #27
and we have lift-off
 
  • #28
She's up!

Did anyone notice that the acceleration was running at about 100 mph per sec. After all these years, still Incredible.
 
  • #29
Patty!

What a beauty!

more than 4,000 mpr ...
 
  • #30
Ivan Seeking said:
She's up!

Did anyone notice that the acceleration was running at about 100 mph per sec. After all these years, still Incredible.

Oh! YES!
Yes!
 
  • #31
Whatever they may say, it's a majestic sight to watch to Shuttle launch!

Now to Germany v Italy!
 
  • #32
Where is Rocketboy?

6min 40 sec into the flight everything looks good...
 
  • #33
ET separation good! :cool:
 
  • #34
"main engine cut off ... smooth ride"
 
  • #35
Whew! So exciting. Can't even imagine what the crew are feeling right now. My parents know someone on this mission, so I know they are watching and praying.

I always love to see the mission patches:
117228main_121patch_154x154.jpg
 
  • #36
What a way to celebrate 4th of July! :cool:
 
  • #37
So who would go up now fully knowing the high risk involved?

me
 
  • #38
The shuttle is safe, the only risk is thanks to NASA managment.

I would go...or would I?? :rolleyes:
 
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  • #39
Ivan Seeking said:
So who would go up now fully knowing the high risk involved?

me
Me too!
 
  • #41
Me too! But NASA won't let me! :cry:
 
  • #42
personally, i wouldn't have taken the risk - knowing that there was a crack in the foam - however minute - that's a HUGE risk - when they could've waited till it was fixed. it's just not worth dying!

__________________________________________________
[[[[[[[[[[ MrOrange99 ]]]]]]]]]]
[[[[[[[[[[ Listening to : http://www.napster.com/player/tracks/16698158 ]]]]]]]]]]
 
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  • #43
I plan on following in Andy Thomas' footsteps, so hell yes I'd go up. :cool:

Did anyone notice that the acceleration was running at about 100 mph per sec. After all these years, still Incredible.

Awesome.
 
  • #44
I'd go :smile:
 
  • #45
I would not go.

Growing up my folks had a TBird, two seater convertable, and being the first child before they realized they were parents with three of us in that tin can, I now enjoy a ride with a little more space to move around in.
Besides I'm chicken.

They were also involved with the space program and we enjoyed having this group of science professionals at the house for party's all the time.

Math is Hard,
You and your parents must be so excited to watch this unfold.

Wishing continued safety to all.

Hope they don't run into to much traffic coming back as I think someone else was also launching things with us yesterday there...YIKES!~
 
  • #46
Shoshana said:
Where is Rocketboy?

6min 40 sec into the flight everything looks good...

Sorry I was too busy playing the launch over and over again.:biggrin:

Ivan Seeking said:
So who would go up now fully knowing the high risk involved?
Not only WOULD I go, I plan to oneday.
 
  • #47
rocketboy said:
Sorry I was too busy playing the launch over and over again.:biggrin:


Not only WOULD I go, I plan to oneday.

There you are Rocketboy!~

PLAN to go up there huh?
Good. So between Space camp and your actual training might I suggest you keep in shape and see how strong your stomach is, you can stop by us for lunch and my Tuesday special and then catch a cab just before rush hour in midtown Manhattan and tell the driver 20 bucks tip if you can get me there in 15 minutes. Promise he will take every wrong turn and stop short 50+ times.

My son went to space camp and he says visiting Mum in NYC is much more intense.
 
  • #48
Shoshana said:
There you are Rocketboy!~

PLAN to go up there huh?
Good. So between Space camp and your actual training might I suggest you keep in shape and see how strong your stomach is, you can stop by us for lunch and my Tuesday special and then catch a cab just before rush hour in midtown Manhattan and tell the driver 20 bucks tip if you can get me there in 15 minutes. Promise he will take every wrong turn and stop short 50+ times.

My son went to space camp and he says visiting Mum in NYC is much more intense.

lol, I love NYC, such an amazing city. What's the Tues. special?
 
  • #49
rocketboy said:
lol, I love NYC, such an amazing city. What's the Tues. special?

Frankly Rocketboy I am still in just too much pain to remember the secret ingredient we use in the "Tuesday plutonium porridge Special", and can't really tell if it was that or the dressing we used on those strange little mushrooms.

But we have the Tuesday special on Tuesday so we are recovered by the weekend.

Expected recovery time, Friday morning.

Oh-ooooo!
 
  • #50
Cool video, don't give up before it hits the water. Click on "Solid Rocket booster video"

http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/sts-121_front/index.html
 
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