On Tue, 04 Feb 2003 15:49:51 -0600, you (paul <astro@pgog.net>) wrote: >hypothetically, are you saying, eg, that if a substantial >number of the tiles fell off and the astronauts and NASA were >fully aware of this, Just as a reminder, there were missions where substantial numbers of tiles _have_ fallen off, without that much of an effect. That's what makes this accident and the assumption that the ET debris might be a or the cause a bit of a mystery. It doesn't necessarily all tie together, and the data as far as it is known at this point also doesn't necessarily reflect this. There is data that is indicative of something going on in the entry interface, but not indicative (yet) of exactly what is going on. There also is data that is kinda conflicting with other data, or seemingly has no connection at all to what was going on elsewhere. Of course the ET debris incident is a strong hint towards a root cause, but it's nothing else yet, and the fact that it receives so much attention can -at this point- rather be attributed to the fact that there is not too much else to look at (yet). >that they would simply deorbit knowing they would meltdown ?? Well, I'm not putting it that bluntly, but this is effectively what would likely happen in one way or another. You can't stay on (in?) orbit indefinitely; after a 16 day mission you're gonna hit your consumable margins pretty soon. In-orbit repair is so far out that it's hardly an option no matter how you look at it. A rescue or refuel mission from the ground also is nothing that could possibly be set up in a mere couple of days. So what would you do, what do you suggest? >if that IS the case, then it seems >like the smart guys on this list should engineer a better >system (or a PI atty might say "should have engineered...") Design changes are hard to implement. They cost money (key problem at NASA, as you might have heard...), and they are quite capable of limiting the Shuttle's capabilities to the point that it would be useless to fly it. For instance, I've heard some debate lately about why there isn't a rescue system in the form of a detachable crew compartment capsule. Sounds beautiful, but such a system would weigh so much that you almost could forget about flying any payload. Completely new designs, Shuttle replacements, are in the pipe, but some are frozen, suffer from bad budgets, suffer from design or technology issues, etc. - it's all not quite that easy. It's not and it's never been a secret that the Space Shuttle system is far from perfect or fully safe. Aside from the risks that you can work hard on to minimize them, there are a couple of scenarios that ultimately get you in serious trouble without a chance of doing anything about it. Everyone who straps into those seats to ride that bullet is fully aware of that. And after all, manned spaceflight is a risky business, and that's not just a saying, it's also true. CU! Markus ----------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe from SeeSat-L by sending a message with 'unsubscribe' in the SUBJECT to SeeSat-L-request@lists.satellite.eu.org http://www.satellite.eu.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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