Don't get me wrong, I love space exploration and so on but I have to say I've lost a little trust in them
2006-07-08 21:19:33 · 7 answers · asked by signature gal 1 in News & Events ➔ Current Events
If the engineers were confident that the launch was safe, I'm all for it.
Washington - NASA engineers have cut the risk that flying debris could damage the space shuttle to an 'acceptable' level, the US space agency said Wednesday in confirming a planned July 1 launch.
Wayne Hale, who heads NASA's shuttle programme, said the major threats of insulating foam breaking off the shuttle's main fuel tank at launch were under control after months of testing.
US space shuttles were grounded in August because of the problem. NASA decided to overhaul the 47-metre-high main fuel tank to make sure that no large chunks of foam fly around during launch.
Foam debris that damaged the shuttle's heat-shielding tiles was blamed for the fiery breakup of Columbia in February 2003, which killed all seven astronauts.
The problem resurfaced with last year's Discovery shuttle flight, though that spacecraft returned safely to Earth.
After reviewing and testing the tank design, NASA believes that there is an 'acceptable risk to fly' because of the hazards from flying foam have been significantly reduced, Hale told reporters in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Some foam debris will always be released during launch, but there are 'no show stoppers' for Discovery's planned launch, Hale said.
The launch is set for July 1, but NASA will confirm the launch date at a June 16-17 meeting to review the shuttle's flight readiness
© 2006 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur
2006-07-08 21:22:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok, everybody complains, we are destroying our planet...Nasa does a lot of research on these issues while in space. Give them a break, yes they made some mistakes. Airlines make mistakes also and kill people and blow money. But we still fly, right? We need to explore space, we need to get out there. We are outgrowing our planet as well. Look to the future. Would we rather the government spent the money on wars? Science is worthwhile.
2006-07-08 22:06:54 · answer #2 · answered by cristi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the money we waste on space exploration could be put to better use right here on good old planet earth. That money would go a long way in crime prevention, wiping out poverty and curing disease. And yes, they moved too quickly. I don't know what the rush is all about. Do we want another disaster? It's a waste of people's lives and our tax dollars.
2006-07-09 10:25:10 · answer #3 · answered by celticwoman777 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that there is a lot of pressure for us to appear that we have a superior space program, undeterred by tragedy. It does seem a bit rushed, especially since they were still talking about the flaw in the outer foam breaking up as a real and current problem the day of the launch.
2006-07-08 23:08:40 · answer #4 · answered by madoli 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I feel kind of wierd about it. I dont think they should have launched the shuttle just because I have a bad feeling about it.... I hope I am wrong though. I'm sure the engineers know what they are doing.
2006-07-08 21:58:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not.
The quality assurance controls involved in every shuttle launch are terrific. I have tremendous confidence in NASA.
2006-07-08 21:23:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think NASA took greater risks back in the day...theres no reason not to trust them now, just because of a few incidents. They have a greater focus on safety now.
2006-07-08 21:24:08 · answer #7 · answered by Saki 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋