Would you ride in the Space Shuttle knowing that it may explode ?

Question

NASA has decided to launch the Space Shuttle this July 4th even though it has the same problem, a cracked tile, that made it explode the last time. I think it's a bad decision, to risky ! What do you think?

Yes, we all take many risks, I take more than most, but they have the exact same problem that made it blow-up the last time....would you drive a car where the gas was exposed to open heat and just hope for the best?

Answer 1

I rode in my friend's Pinto, knowing it might explode.

Answer 2

I would certainly ride.

While the technical details of the shuttle accidents are different, the organizational problems show similarities. In both cases events happened which were not planned for or anticipated. In both cases, engineers were greatly concerned about possible problems but these concerns were not properly communicated to or understood by senior NASA managers. The vehicle gave ample warning beforehand of abnormal problems. A heavily layered, procedure-oriented bureaucratic structure inhibited necessary communication and action. A mind set among senior managers developed that concerns had to be objectively proven rather than simply suspected.

With Challenger an O-ring which should not have eroded at all did erode on earlier shuttle launches. Yet managers felt because it had not previously eroded by more than 30%, that this was not a hazard as there was "a factor of three safety margin". Morton Thiokol designed and manufactured the SRBs, and during a pre-launch conference call with NASA, the Thiokol engineer most experienced with the O-rings pleaded with management repeatedly to cancel or reschedule the launch. He raised concerns that the unusually cold temperatures would stiffen the O-rings, preventing a complete seal, which was exactly what happened on the fatal flight. However, Thiokol's senior managers overruled him, dismissing his safety concerns and allowed the launch to proceed. Challenger's O-rings eroded completely through as predicted, resulting in the complete destruction of the spacecraft and the loss of all seven astronauts on board.

Columbia was destroyed because of damaged thermal protection from foam debris that broke off the external tank during ascent. The foam had not been designed or expected to break off, but had been observed in the past to do so without incident. The original shuttle operational specification said the orbiter thermal protection tiles were designed to withstand virtually no debris hits at all. Over time NASA managers gradually accepted more tile damage, similar to how O-ring damage was accepted. The Columbia Accident Investigation Board called this tendency the "normalization of deviance" — a gradual acceptance of events outside the design tolerances of the craft simply because they had not been catastrophic to date.

Answer 3

If they fixed it, yes. But after the last incident I wouldnt want to trust NASA with a cracked tile. Because of their mistake people died and its a stupid desicion to launch it on the 4th, even though it is damaged.

My answer is no, if they want me to ride in a damaged shuttle, even after people died from the same thing before, I would leave saying f*** you then.

Answer 4

Before they discovered the crack in the foam covering the fuel tank, the shuttle had a 1 in 100 risk of catastrophic failure. They decided that it should go up anyway, in spite of the risks. I am sure that the odds of it failing have increased significantly in light of this discovery.

No. I would not go on this mission. I don't think that it's worth the risk.

Answer 5

I probably would just for the simple fact that I never learn from my mistakes. Just like NASA, I'm always sure that the outcome will be different even tho I never change any of the variables... Someday, perhaps, I (and NASA) will figure out that if you don't fix the problems the outcome will always be the same

Answer 6

do you breathe air knowing you may get lung cancer? Of course I would! Who cares..have some pride in your fellow Americans at NASA. Nothings perfect....**** HAPPENS...You cant base your opinion off of a couple mishaps. Nasa has made less mistakes then your friends at American Airlines...or your local transit authority. Chill out. Have a wonderful 4th of July.

Answer 7

YES! I would be willing to risk my life for a chance to go into space. What an experience that would be. I risk my life every time I get on a Boeing 747....and that's just to get from Florida to Philadelphia.

Answer 8

You ride in cars knowing they may be involved in serious accidents. You've probably gotten on a plane knowing it may crash. You do it because otherwise you would never experience anything. If you didn't board it, and it didn't explode, wouldn't you be rather disappointed you let fear get the best of you?

Answer 9

I would ride the Space Shuttle even if I saw fuel leaking down its side and the pilot was a drunken, armless chimpanzee.

Best wishes and God bless.

Answer 10

I do not believe that those astronaughts are forced to climb aboard the shuttle. I'm sure they are well aware of the risks and would not knowingly climb on board if they thought that they were going to die due to faulty equipment. I do believe that they are extremely brave and courageous individuals deserving of our admiration and respect, and I wish them Godspeed!
As for myself...... NO WAY!

Answer 11

I would definitely take a ride. I don't think this crack is in the same bad situation as the Columbia when it was re-entering Earth's atmosphere.