From: Dave Cole (DavidCole@tk7.net)
Date: Mon Feb 03 2003 - 10:42:30 PST
I also heard about the tile damage. I didn't think that they would be stupid enough to fly that bird back down without an physical inspection.
Why couldn't they do a space walk to check it out? Or was the decision made not to bother?
I have to believe that they carry some provision to replace a tile or two?
Dave
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
2/3/2003 2:12:35 AM, "Timothy Smith" <timothy.smith1@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>Appears several list members are knowledgable in the field of aerospace, so
>I have a question or at least an observation.
>
>Everyone was well aware that something had hit the left wing of Columbia and
>the fellas on the ground with the slide rules and thick glasses had a
>pow-wow and came to the conclusion that all was well with Columbia after
>that mishap.
>
>HUH?! (having heard that, my antenna began to quiver)
>
>I heard an astronaut (who was a qualified and experienced shuttle
>crewmember) state in an interview that (at least in the case of Columbia)
>there was no way for the crew to make a visual examination of the exterior
>surfaces of the craft.
>
>EXCUSE ME!? YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME!
>
>Having heard all the commentary about the delicacies of reentry in a
>shuttle, it seems to me that under circumstances such as these, a visual
>examination of the exterior of Columbia would have been mandatory and
>failure to do so (assuming there was actually something to see that would
>indicate a problem) and failure to consider that such a need would arise at
>some time and failing to plan for it would constitute negligence.
>
>I am not suggesting that they would have necessarily been able to fix the
>damage, but they sure as hell would be able to make an informed decision as
>to what they felt they could and could not do with the shuttle afterwards.
>
>Personally, I wouldn't send another shuttle up without some type of EVA
>equipment or perhaps some remotely operated vehicle with cameras and a
>tether so that next time (and God forbid there WILL be a next time) they can
>at least have a look.
>
>I liken this to one of us taking our HMV's across the desert without a spare
>parts and a cel phone.....nuts, huh?
>
>Comments, anyone?
>
>Regards,
>TJ Smith
>
>
>
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