2007-09-22 15:04:17 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
They're always trying to prevent accidents, disasters, and other things that cause a problem with funding and PR but as life goes......you can't plan for every contingency.
Quote:
The man who hasn't failed is a man who hasn't tried anything.
2007-09-22 15:36:04 · answer #1 · answered by Greywolf 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, they are so much more careful now, so at least something good came out of Columbia and Challenger.
I do wish they would build a new generation of space shuttles to mount on top of the Ares V. the main risk of the shuttle fleet is Ice and Foam from the tank, by mounting the shuttle on top, this risk is gone as the shuttle is above all falling material.
The bottom line is the space shuttle has more capability than any other spacecraft. Orion would be more suited to carrying crews to ISS and deeper into space, but they cannot expand or do maintenance on the station like the shuttles can, and they cannot launch satellites, repair them, or even bring things back into the atmosphere from space.
2007-09-22 23:45:17 · answer #2 · answered by Troy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not anymore, NASA has taken great steps in surveying the shuttle's integrity after liftoff when chunks of foam come off. Also the Shuttle fleet is due to retire in 2010. But before that grounding there will be an increase in Shuttle launches and a fatal Shuttle accident would be rare in that short of a time period. As long as NASA remains vigilant and doesn't cut corners. Astronauts will be safe aboard the Shuttle.
2007-09-22 22:08:44 · answer #3 · answered by Ask A Black Guy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They'll probably get away with it if they retire them on time, but I don't think the replacement will get built on time or on budget either. They'll wind up flying the Shuttles more and with ever decreasing maintenance, just like every other industry in America. The replacement will have problems also. Like the military, they are always preventing the last disaster's mistakes. My gut feeling is that the next accident will be failure of the landing gear to deploy or steering failure. Don't know why I say that, just a feeling.
I'm pro space, but not always pro NASA. They are the finest R&D outfit on the world, but they're not very good at making a buck. Not their line of work, but if its going to get done, they've got to get out of the way.
2007-09-23 02:05:42 · answer #4 · answered by balloon buster 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. They are only going to fly it a dozen or so times more and then retire it in 2010. I think they can make that many flights safely.
2007-09-22 22:09:23 · answer #5 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes. And I pray that it's limited to a stubbed toe.
2007-09-22 22:50:38 · answer #6 · answered by Boomer Wisdom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My crystal ball said there were two.
It is over.
2007-09-22 23:17:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rare, but still possible... Only God knows if there'll be another one... Hope not... :)
2007-09-22 22:29:41 · answer #8 · answered by J.J. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
of course there will be. be it tomarrow or 30 years from now, it will happen.
2007-09-22 22:09:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋