I don't really like the idea of NASA securing the launch time of the Space Shuttle, but considering the current state of affairs; it does make sense. After all, NASA has to do something, or else, face the possibility of total militarization of the American space program. Bill Bard does make a valid point when he stated: "While hitting a shuttle on the ground would be a major event, hitting a shuttle right at launch would be much greater, since television coverage would be plentiful." Another possible reason for a possible terrorist attack right after launch is the destructive force of an airburst. In essence, the Space Shuttle Vehicle is one very large "bomb" with its Liquid Hydrogen (1 pound of LH2 equals approximately 10 pounds of TNT) and Liquid Oxygen. All you have to do is watch the video of STS-51L to see the explosive nature of the Space Shuttle Vehicle. Just imagine the damage resulting from a fully loaded Space Shuttle Vehicle exploding within several hundred feet above the ground. The overpressure would damage its own launch pad plus possibly the other LC-39 launch pad and could cause some light to moderate damage to structures beyond the three-mile radius of the launch pad. Hopefully we can some day soon return to a state of affair more in line with September 11th and not have to worry about mindless zealots doing the bidding of deranged, coward individuals, such as bin Laden. Frank Daloisio _________________________________________________________________ Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com ----------------------------------------------------------------- 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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