WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO... Patching the tiles on orbit, I distinctly recall many years ago, during the development of the shuttle tiles as a system for protecting against the heat of reentry, that tile patching materials and methods of applying adhesive in space were being developed. It seems that they (NASA) were pretty far into the development process. Did the idea go by the way because of budget considerations?
Using the MMU: What was the purpose of developing the MMU if not to navigate around the shuttle? Was the MMU merely an exercise with no apparent purpose? The Spherical Zippered Life Raft devices: I don't know what their proper name was. At one time, an air tight sphere was planned as a life raft of sorts. They were large enough for one person to crawl inside, zip up and have several hours of oxygen. The concept during their design was that a shuttle in trouble would stay on orbit and a rescue vehicle from the surface would rendezvous and pluck the survivors out of space as soon as they evacuated the troubled shuttle. Today, the truth of the matter, was that astronauts couldn't have come home because on orbit repair and rescue are impossible - rings hollow. I distinctly remember discussions over the years of patching, of inspecting, and even mounting rescue vehicles was a plan. Had the Shuttle stayed on orbit another couple of days could the Russian rocket destined to take supplies to the ISS have been reconfigured for a rescue? Were all these "proposed" methods of rescue the victims of budget? Is it true that the smallest astronaut, Kalpana Chawla, had no space suit on board the shuttle that could have allowed her to leave the shuttle even if evacuation had been necessary and possible? One the gruesome side, I heard a question asked on Talk Radio today, "if NASA had concluded that the insulation or ice that broke off the external tank had created a hazardous potential for re-entry and knowing there currently exists no hope of rescue, would the Astronauts have been informed. My answer to that would have been Yes! If only so they could bid farewell to family and friends. I recall John Glenn had the possible heat shield problem on Freedom 7 he was told not to jettison the retro-rockets strapped over the heat shield. Was he informed while still on orbit that it appeared his heat shield might be loose and fail? I have added the words to a patriotic song we used to sing in grade school during the 1940's. It was written for the first Columbia which made America's first circum-navigation of the globe. O Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean by Unknown O Columbia, the gem of the ocean, The home of the brave and the free, The shrine of each patriot's devotion, A world offers homage to thee. Thy mandates make heroes assemble When Liberty's form stands in view; Thy banners make tyranny tremble When borne by the red, white and blue, When borne by the red, white and blue, When borne by the red, white and blue, Thy banners make tyranny tremble When borne by the red, white and blue. When war winged its wide desolation And threatened the land to deform, The ark then of freedom's foundation, Columbia, rode safe thro' the storm: With the garlands of vict'ry around her, When so proudly she bore her brave crew, With her flag proudly floating before her, The boast of the red, white and blue, The boast of the red, white and blue, The boast of the red, white and blue, With her flag proudly floating before her, The boast of the red, white and blue. The star-spangled banner bring hither, O'er Columbia's true sons let it wave; May the wreaths they have won never wither, Nor its stars cease to shine on the brace: May the service, united, ne'er sever, But hold to their colors so true; The army and navy forever, Three cheers for the red, white and blue, Three cheers for the red, white and blue, Three cheers for the red, white and blue, The army and navy forever. Three cheers for the red, white and blue. (With apologies to the author and poets every where for this addition) Sail on ocean blue or black depths of space Columbia and its crew have now found their place May the dreams of their hearts endure forever And guide mankind's desire, space faring to be Let our goals ever be to keep Columbia the gem o' the Sea Mankind and NASA ideals to be true God bless the astronauts, families, and America too. The hopes of the red, white and blue The hopes of the red, white and blue The hopes of the red, white and blue Let Columbia sail on forever, The hopes of the red, white and blue Mickey D. Schmidt, Dir. USAF Academy Planetarium == You are subscribed to the Europa Icepick mailing list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Project information and list (un)subscribe info: http://klx.com/europa/
