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(Reuters)   Space Shuttle damaged on takeoff, and even though NASA says there's nothing to see here, move along folks, they're rushing to prep another shuttle for launch "just in case"   (reuters.com) divider line
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24125 clicks; posted to Main » and Geek » on 12 May 2009 at 4:23 PM (11 years ago)   |   Favorite    |   share:  Share on Twitter share via Email Share on Facebook



354 Comments     (+0 »)
 


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Uakronkid
2009-05-12 4:16:06 PM  
They should launch the other shuttle anyway, just to see if a "space rescue" mission would actually work. It never hurts to give something like this a dry run before you find yourself needing to do it for real.
 
albert71292 [TotalFark]
2009-05-12 4:18:58 PM  

Uakronkid: They should launch the other shuttle anyway, just to see if a "space rescue" mission would actually work. It never hurts to give something like this a dry run before you find yourself needing to do it for real.


But what if the other shuttle gets damaged during takeoff also?
 
Trivia Jockey
2009-05-12 4:21:00 PM  
Damn, I didn't get to this story fast enough...


Astronauts uncover long line of nicks on shuttle Atlantis; NASA officials have no idea how Fleetwood Mac got onto the launching pad
 
Linux_Yes
2009-05-12 4:25:00 PM  
no worries.

the taxpayer has it covered.
 
TheKingOfMexico
2009-05-12 4:25:21 PM  

albert71292: But what if the other shuttle gets damaged during takeoff also?


Simple: launch more Shuttles.
 
schattenteufel
2009-05-12 4:25:34 PM  
Ever heard of "Better safe than sorry", subtard?
 
jonasborg
2009-05-12 4:25:44 PM  
I think they already had the other shuttle ready. A little damage on takeoff is not unexpected.

And I don't think you need to do a dry run with a space fleet which is going to be retired extremely soon.
 
Foaming
2009-05-12 4:26:18 PM  
What happens if the rescue shuttle gets damaged too?
 
JollyMagistrate
2009-05-12 4:26:25 PM  
Just yesterday morning they let me know you were gone,
Suzanne, the plans they made put an end to you.
 
Cheops
2009-05-12 4:26:46 PM  

TheKingOfMexico: albert71292: But what if the other shuttle gets damaged during takeoff also?

Simple: launch more Shuttles.


This is one of those things which I'll gladly have my taxes cover.
 
blazemongr
2009-05-12 4:26:57 PM  
Er, did subby know they had the second shuttle prepped anyway, because of the unusual orbit of the Hubble making it impossible to divert astronauts to the ISS in an emergency?
 
d'art
2009-05-12 4:27:49 PM  
The 2nd shuttle was slated to be prepped for launch long before the 1st shuttle's liftoff. The Hubble mission is sort of a dangerous one.
 
Cheops
2009-05-12 4:28:00 PM  


This is one of those things which I'll gladly have my taxes cover.

I meant to quote linux_yes :(
 
Comic Book Guy [BareFark]
2009-05-12 4:28:31 PM  

Uakronkid: They should launch the other shuttle anyway, just to see if a "space rescue" mission would actually work. It never hurts to give something like this a dry run before you find yourself needing to do it for real.


I find myself agreeing with this. I'm sure there's some stuff that needs to go up to the ISS, or some other function that can be performed after the "rescue" is over. But as long as there is another shuttle already prepped for launch, I can't think of a better time.
 
mr_bunny
2009-05-12 4:28:55 PM  
I told them, "Take a tub of mastic and a box of extra tiles. You just never know!"

and I was fired. mostly for heavy drinking and a little theft of state secrets, but mostly for telling them!
 
Ponzholio [TotalFark] [BareFark] [OhFark]
2009-05-12 4:28:59 PM  

Foaming: What happens if the rescue shuttle gets damaged too?


Exactly. How do they go up to the rescue team and say 'Hey guys, you remember that shuttle that took off yesterday? Well, it got damaged. So we're sending you up in the exact same thing that was damaged...'
 
GregoryD [TotalFark]
2009-05-12 4:29:45 PM  
I feel sad. NASA is basically using unholy crossbreed of 1970's technology and todays technology still. Can't we get these guys a little bit more funding?
 
physt [TotalFark] [OhFark]
2009-05-12 4:29:46 PM  

blazemongr: Er, did subby know they had the second shuttle prepped anyway, because of the unusual orbit of the Hubble making it impossible to divert astronauts to the ISS in an emergency?


They were not already prepping the shuttle. They started prepping once they realized the shuttle was damaged and too far away from the ISS.
 
apacheco
2009-05-12 4:30:29 PM  
boxoffice.comView Full Size


time to send backup
 
Mnemia
2009-05-12 4:30:39 PM  
Incredibly misleading headline that disagrees with both the article and reality.
 
TommyymmoT
2009-05-12 4:31:05 PM  

Uakronkid: They should launch the other shuttle anyway, just to see if a "space rescue" mission would actually work. It never hurts to give something like this a dry run before you find yourself needing to do it for real.


Agreed 100%.


However,
I had a feeling something was going to happen just to create some interest, and drama. They never have 2 shuttles set up, and ready to go, because it's too expensive to keep in the ready mode, unless you're planning on using it, and it's not like they have that much extra money laying around after their budget cuts.

I think NASA would like nothing more, than the increased awareness of the space program an Apollo 13 sort of scenario would generate.

They want their funding back, and I say, give it to them, and more.

Space research has done more to improve the overall quality of life, globally, than any bailout or war ever has.

Tomorrow is the 13th. Hmmmm, should be interesting to see if anything happens.
 
Mnemia
2009-05-12 4:31:14 PM  
physt: They were not already prepping the shuttle. They started prepping once they realized the shuttle was damaged and too far away from the ISS.

Wrong.
 
Poppa Boner
2009-05-12 4:31:26 PM  
What happens if the rescue shuttle gets damaged too?
 
ChaoticCoyote
2009-05-12 4:31:30 PM  
Ignorant subby!

The Endeavor has been on the second launch pad for several days; it was already planned, YEARS AGO, to have a second shuttle ready for a rescue, because the Atlantis will be in an orbit that precludes use of the International Space Station as a life boat (in the event of a problem.)

Basically, the Endeavor is sitting at T - 3 days (7 days into a launch countdown), and will be launched if something goes wrong.

No rushing. No emergency.
 
Comic Book Guy [BareFark]
2009-05-12 4:31:41 PM  

Foaming: What happens if the rescue shuttle gets damaged too?


13thcolony.files.wordpress.comView Full Size


Launch them. Launch them all.
 
Uakronkid
2009-05-12 4:31:47 PM  

albert71292: Uakronkid: They should launch the other shuttle anyway, just to see if a "space rescue" mission would actually work. It never hurts to give something like this a dry run before you find yourself needing to do it for real.

But what if the other shuttle gets damaged during takeoff also?


You would have two shuttles up there, each able to repair the other one.

Even if they're going to retire the shuttle fleet, they should be practicing stuff like flying in formation. It's never too early to build a foundation for our eventual space navy.
 
libbynomore2
2009-05-12 4:32:10 PM  
the second shuttle was prepped for launch even before the first one took off......where the hell have you been subby?
 
gorgor
2009-05-12 4:32:11 PM  
Will they finally be able to update the Truely Tasteless Jokebooks?
 
Fuggin Bizzy
2009-05-12 4:32:19 PM  

Cheops: I meant to quote linux_yes


You lie. Nobody quotes that dipshiat.
 
Mnemia
2009-05-12 4:33:02 PM  
TommyymmoT: Agreed 100%.

However,
I had a feeling something was going to happen just to create some interest, and drama. They never have 2 shuttles set up, and ready to go, because it's too expensive to keep in the ready mode, unless you're planning on using it, and it's not like they have that much extra money laying around after their budget cuts.

They plan to launch the next one next month anyway, so the only difference was having it out on the pad a little early.
 
Ted Kennedy's Brain Tumor
2009-05-12 4:33:12 PM  

albert71292: But what if the other shuttle gets damaged during takeoff also?


Iz okay, we got dis.
 
Fuggin Bizzy
2009-05-12 4:33:54 PM  
The liftoff also damaged about 25 square feet (2.3 square metres) of the shuttle's launch pad flame trench, the U.S. space agency said.

They should make launch pad flame trench out of that indestructible stuff they make flight recorders out of. Problem solved.
 
Ted Kennedy's Brain Tumor
2009-05-12 4:34:16 PM  
... now with image ...

nasa.govView Full Size
 
mrbach
2009-05-12 4:34:18 PM  
I believe they had every intention of having the backup shuttle ready, so I think the submitter is over reacting.
 
Al_Ed
2009-05-12 4:34:35 PM  
Christ, what's the big deal? Get one of those satellite rockets and shoot 'em up a friggin' can of Bondo! Problem solved.
 
Nutsac_Jim
2009-05-12 4:34:40 PM  
Summitter es el douchebag.

They had planned to have the second shuttle ready, 'just in case'
because they are aware of the age problem of the shuttles and the 'foam problem'
 
Mighty Taternuts
2009-05-12 4:34:50 PM  
Ares is coming and the shuttle will soon be retired.

They could still use more funding.

The problem with NASA is that the public only hears about failures and not the dozens of inventions that have come from creating their launch vehicles and supporting technology.
 
MilesTeg
2009-05-12 4:35:08 PM  
This is supposed to be cutting edge technology yet they can't even keep crap from falling off the gas tanks and damaging the thing?
 
Squidgilum
2009-05-12 4:35:15 PM  

albert71292: Uakronkid: They should launch the other shuttle anyway, just to see if a "space rescue" mission would actually work. It never hurts to give something like this a dry run before you find yourself needing to do it for real.

But what if the other shuttle gets damaged during takeoff also?


Then it's...

5... 4... 3... 2... 1...

THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO!

...The old supermarionation guys, not the crappy movie version.
 
Cheops
2009-05-12 4:35:18 PM  
The thing about the flame trench getting damaged is that, well, it's not a big deal.
 
Chaim Witz
2009-05-12 4:35:23 PM  
They already had another shuttle prepped for launch because of concerns about space debris on this mission...and something about Zarflax. I didn't quite catch that last part.
 
markie_farkie [TotalFark] [BareFark] [OhFark]
2009-05-12 4:35:27 PM  

Mnemia: Incredibly misleading headline that disagrees with both the article and reality.


Someone already burned the link with more details, confirming the rush to get the 2nd shuttle ready here (new window)

NASA said the damage did not appear serious but more analysis was needed. A space shuttle was prepped ahead of today's inspection to rush astronauts to rescue if needed at any point during the risky mission.

Read between the lines on this one. in NASA-speak this means they confirmed the damage during takeoff and are now getting things moving ASAP.
 
MattyFridays
2009-05-12 4:35:29 PM  

Comic Book Guy:
Launch them. Launch them all.


Well, this oughta be different.
 
H31N0US [recently expired TotalFark]
2009-05-12 4:37:06 PM  

Ted Kennedy's Brain Tumor: ... now with image ...


I think that's the North Korean Shuttle Program.
 
mr_bunny
2009-05-12 4:37:08 PM  
Does anyone know if they already had another shuttle at the ready in case there was a problem?
 
Comic Book Guy [BareFark]
2009-05-12 4:37:11 PM  

Uakronkid: albert71292: Uakronkid: They should launch the other shuttle anyway, just to see if a "space rescue" mission would actually work. It never hurts to give something like this a dry run before you find yourself needing to do it for real.

But what if the other shuttle gets damaged during takeoff also?

You would have two shuttles up there, each able to repair the other one.

Even if they're going to retire the shuttle fleet, they should be practicing stuff like flying in formation. It's never too early to build a foundation for our eventual space navy.


Lofty military thoughts aside, if the gov't is willing to blow 326k on a photo-op above NYC, what's a couple million more to have 2 shuttles in orbit formation for the first (and last) time ever?
 
TommyymmoT
2009-05-12 4:37:13 PM  

Mighty Taternuts:

The problem with NASA is that the public only hears about failures and not the dozens THOUSANDS of inventions that have come from creating their launch vehicles and supporting technology.


FTFY
 
hockeyfarker
2009-05-12 4:37:18 PM  

Trivia Jockey: Astronauts uncover long line of nicks on shuttle Atlantis; NASA officials have no idea how Fleetwood Mac got onto the launching pad


not bad

I'm seeing them tonight!
 
SFSailor
2009-05-12 4:37:19 PM  
Let's get these ready, too, just in case they need them:

- Needs Another Seven Astronauts
- Nine! 2 in the seats, seven in the ashtray!
- They found her Head and Shoulders!

/good to be prepared
//aisle, please!
 
kpottruff
2009-05-12 4:37:43 PM  

Linux_Yes: no worries.

the taxpayer has it covered.


Behold the Linux Yes post with absolutely no mention of Linux.

Indeed the universe is about to implode.
 
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