WASHINGTON (AFP) - Bolts holding the external fuel tank to the rocket boosters may endanger all three remaining space shuttles, should they be flown, the Columbia Accident Investigation Board said.

Pieces of broken bolts that release the external fuel tank from the rocket after liftoff could damage the orbiter, jeopardizing the mission and the astronauts aboard. "It has the potential of being catastrophic in the future," board member John Barry said. The three remaining shuttles have been grounded since the Columbia accident.

View: Full Article | Source: Yahoo News

At this rate the shuttles are going to be out of action for years. They seem to be finding more and more wrong with them all the time.

Scary. Makes you wonder how long something has been wrong with them. When are they going to get serious about making more safe and efficient space craft?

QUOTE (SaRuMaN @ Jun 13 2003, 07:55 AM)

At this rate the shuttles are going to be out of action for years. They seem to be finding more and more wrong with them all the time.

SaRuMaN.......... I agree completely. I just posted an update on
Space N Stuff about the flaws AND proposals for changes in the
future.

Columbia, as I'm sure you know, was the Grand Old Lady of the Fleet.
All the remaining shuttles are, in today's technology...... ancient.

Since Hindesight is NOT Foresight, perhaps they have outlived
their usefulness. So much at stake, so little financial backing, so many
other MAJOR world problems. Makes ya wonder, no?

I've been the most vocal among my friends about the retirement of the Shuttles because eventually things like the explosion of Columbia were to happen.

The constant use causes all kinds of stress on the vehicle. Most of the time it can be repaired but what happens when its not noticed till to late and something happens. How many accidents before we say that things have to change? If the shuttles begin to fly I suggest that people begin praying now that another accident doesn't happen.

Complacency in the fact that they have something that works, the unavailability of funds won't go far in the need to find something that will work and is more dependable. Although in the future we may not need to depend on something strapped to a rocket, but for now this is all we have and we need to make it better.

Bloated Corpse.... (Sorry, just 'feels' strange writing to one)
At the risk of tooting my own horn, something I hesitate to do,
I wrote an editioral on one of my own web sites that mirrors
your opinion (LINK at the bottom of this reply). I would also like to add...

Perhaps it's Human Nature to pause after tragedy, reflect on the event,
ignore the "truth" then forge on with new hope and maybe, REPEAT..
MAYBE find workable solutions.

As an analogy, seat belts invented, people seldom used them, more people
died in accidents and only then were LAWS passed enforcing their use.

In the last hellish Shuttle event, Seven Humans trusted NASA. Their familes trusted NASA.

As speculation, they may have thought, "After Challenger,
how would NASA contiunue training and flying mission after mission, if doing so wasn't safe?"

It is also Human Nature to realize the consequences of past errors
and use band aids to repair gaping holes, HOPING history will not repeat...
at least on their 'watch.'

Add to all of this, the latest turn in International Events.
Put this in a blender and what you have is............. chaos.

In the meantime, there are two Humans zipping around
the Earth on The International Space Station.
Where do we go from here?


http://www.spacenstuff.com/archives/index.php?id=150

QUOTE (Nancy @ Jun 14 2003, 12:57 AM)

Where do we go from here?

Obviously not back to the moon. Sorry I couldn't help myself.

QUOTE (Bloated Corpse @ Jun 14 2003, 08:54 AM)

QUOTE (Nancy @ Jun 14 2003, 12:57 AM) Where do we go from here? Obviously not back to the moon. Sorry I couldn't help myself.

Yahooooooooooo!!!
A "Bloated Corpse" with a great sense of humor!!

QUOTE (Nancy @ Jun 14 2003, 05:13 AM)

QUOTE (Bloated Corpse @ Jun 14 2003, 08:54 AM) QUOTE (Nancy @ Jun 14 2003, 12:57 AM) Where do we go from here? Obviously not back to the moon. Sorry I couldn't help myself. Yahooooooooooo!!! A "Bloated Corpse" with a great sense of humor!!

But seriously, theres a lot that needs to be accomplished before the end of the space program happens from lack of funding. I would definitely like to see a person on Mars, maybe a manned station outside of Earth's orbit although between Mars and Earth would be a good spot simply for the fact that it would make missions to mars a little safer. And possible mining of asteroids between Mars and Jupiter.

I wouldn't consider the retirement of the existing fleet of shuttles as the end of the space program, but rather the start of a new beginning.

There is a major lack of funding at this time, but I feel that with China's interest growing in their own space program, and Europe having their own space program, that the U.S. will find the funding to get back in there.

Part of the problems due to lack of funding is lack of interest. The U.S. has been alone at the top for years, and with our space program now at idle(regarding humans in space), and other nations' influence in space increasing, I feel that the U.S. will find the funding as the interest grows. I just don't see the U.S. space program taking a back seat.

QUOTE (Homer @ Jun 14 2003, 12:25 PM)

There is a major lack of funding at this time, but I feel that with China's interest growing in their own space program, and Europe having their own space program, that the U.S. will find the funding to get back in there. Part of the problems due to lack of funding is lack of interest. The U.S. has been alone at the top for years, and with our space program now at idle(regarding humans in space), and other nations' influence in space increasing, I feel that the U.S. will find the funding as the interest grows. I just don't see the U.S. space program taking a back seat.

Ut oh... Homer? For the first time? I think we disagree
Yes, China is venturing into their own Space Program, however
primitive it may be.

Russia? Egads! They can't even get our guys back from the ISS
safely! Their wallets are full of moths.

The European Space Agency does have some "uumph" and they are
working with the US Space Program fairly well. Mars Express is a prime example.

As for lack of interest being part of our Space Program? Well? How bout this?
Lack of competent management, safety procedures, ignoring
urgent communications from subordinates, misuse of funds,
budget overruns in the billions, ancient shuttles even though millions spent on "make-overs"...

In other words? Interest is waining due to lack of confidence that we can deliver what we promise! Congress is not happy with NASA. Management is leaving, resigning or being reassigned faster than the speed of light. Funding will not increase until NASA and their contractors can get their house in order.

The Members of The International Space Station are NOT pulling their weight. Heck! There are two guys up there now, just checking for roaches and enjoying the view of the Universe around them. A two man Crew will not 'cut it'...... yet, we prefer to not leave Alpha unattended. We don't even have an adequate "Escape Module" in the event of trouble. That component was tossed out, due to funding.

We will take a back seat? Yep....... until all the "bugs" and "pork" are eliminated. Whew! End of speech. Homer? Are we still on speaking terms?

Of course we are on speaking terms Nancy, and to be honest, I'm a little confused, because you haven't mentioned anything disagreeing with what I said.

You agree with me that China and Europe are making headways in their own programs. I never mentioned Russia, for reasons you already explained.

We both agree the lack of funding is a set back. The only thing you touched on that I didn't was the poor management of the space program. I don't disagree with you, but didn't mention it to keep my post more simplified.

Perhaps the only thing that we disagree with is whether or not we will take a back seat. You mentioned bugs and pork. The bugs could potentially be eliminated with better management, but the pork never will, in my opinion. NASA, like congress, is a bureaucracy. Where there is bureaucracy, there is pork. Throughout this nation's past, we have always overcome bureaucracy by throwing more money at the problem, and never by better management.

I believe we will have better management, but that will only eliminate some of the problems. Other problems will never get fixed. Ever. I don't believe these non fixable problems will prevent us from getting up there again. After all, these problems were always there, and it never stopped us before.

QUOTE (Homer @ Jun 15 2003, 12:24 AM)

After all, these problems were always there, and it never stopped us before.

BINGO Homer! My point EXACTLY!!!!!!
Those "problems" SHOULD have stopped us before!

My reference to "bugs" was intended to connect with all
the failures I outlined, from soup to nuts..... Not just "Bugs"
that are small glitches to overcome.

China is so far behind with their space attempts, it will
take decades before they actually begin to be "players" in the
grand scheme.

I still contend that where confidence is in question, funding will
be doubtful. However, CAIB is a good thing. It just seems to me
that when lives are at stake, billions of dollars of taxpayers money
are used............ We should get MORE bang for our buck!

Tell the widows, widowers and children of the Crew of Columbia "we're
sorry we were NOT on the ball." I haven't the guts to do so.

Well Nancy, you are the most knowledgable person I have ever known with regards to the Space Program.

There is nothing you said that I disagree with, nor do I see anything you said as a contradiction to what I said. Aside from having much more knowledge about the subject than I have, you are much more articulate than I am as well. I just wanted to keep it short and simple

QUOTE (Homer @ Jun 15 2003, 01:32 PM)

I just wanted to keep it short and simple

Homer???

Thank you for those kind words. I guess when I 'believe' in
something? I really let it roll......... Simple is a virture on which
I should concentrate.