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

Now to Germany v Italy!
 
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  • #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!

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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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  • #51
Evo said:
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

:smile: What a great ride! Where can we get tickets?
 
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  • #52
I know, it made me want to go up. Watching it go up really made me envy the astronauts inside. Damn, if there was a place to sit in that thing, I'd buy a ticket. :biggrin:

It appears that the rocket stayed upright out of the water?
 
  • #53
Evo said:
I know, it made me want to go up. Watching it go up really made me envy the astronauts inside. Damn, if there was a place to sit in that thing, I'd buy a ticket. :biggrin:

It appears that the rocket stayed upright out of the water?
Possibly, it drops by parachute and is hollow - so it is supposed to float - unless the seals leak. :rolleyes:
 
  • #54
Space Shuttle Discovery ended STS-121’s stay at the International Space Station when it undocked at 6:08 a.m. EDT Saturday. Undocking occurred as the two spacecraft flew above the Pacific Ocean north of New Zealand.

Discovery remains on track for a scheduled touch down at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., at 9:14 a.m. Monday.
Let's hope for a safe trip home and a safe landing at Kennedy Space Center on Monday morning.

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts121/mission_docs/landing.html
 
  • #55
DISCOVERY is safely back on the ground!
 
  • #56
The STS-121 astronauts returned home today from a successful mission to the International Space Station when Space Shuttle Discovery touched down at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Landing occurred at 9:14 a.m. EDT.

Discovery gave the United States a birthday present when it launched July 4. STS-121 spent just under 13 days in orbit, with almost nine days at the station. Discovery delivered supplies, equipment and a new Expedition 13 crew member to the orbital outpost.
Successful mission and crew home safely! :-p :approve: :cool: :smile:
 
  • #57
A picture perfect landing.

I wonder what the cost per mission is now given the entire history of the program.
 
  • #58
woooooooooooooooooooot!

next stop! MARS! (but not before I can hitch a ride!)
 
  • #59
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5196804.stm

Shuttle edges to night launches

The US space agency wants at least one more daylight launch for the shuttle before it will allow a night lift-off.

The article also includes another interesting news about a possible Hubble mission. :smile:

That could be good news also for the Hubble Space Telescope. It requires servicing to extend its life - a mission that can only be conducted by a shuttle. Dr Griffin told BBC News a firm decision would come later in the year.

"We have a lot of data to go through before we know whether or not we can do a Hubble flight; and we will probably announce that this Fall."
 
  • #60
Has anyone picked up a NASA mission patch for this one?
 

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