Space Shuttle Columbia EXPLODES!

Upon entering Earth's atmosphere at 8:00 AM Central Time, Space Shuttle Columbia exploded over Dallas, Texas. This is very sad news. For more information, throw it on CNN or MSNBC.

This may be not roller-coaster related, but this needs to be discussed.
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-Adam Black
E-Stop Webmaster
The Emergency Stop
*** This post was edited by xShorty 2/1/2003 10:38:23 AM ***

This is super sad news and that is one of the most stupid comments Ive ever heard xShorty(about the Israeli).

http://www.cnn.com/

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Army Rangers lead the way
*** This post was edited by supermandl 2/1/2003 9:49:52 AM ***

OMG

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Member of RCT InSomniAcS

Its very very sad

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Whats red yellow and blue at SFGAm...???

I feel as numb about this as I did when Challenger exploded in 1986.

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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead

My prayers are with the families of the astronauts about that shuttle.

I truley do not believe this was in any way a terrorist attack. This is not the time to discuss such a thing.
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Please visit the small parks. We don't know what's happening behind the scenes
Woodencoaster.com

This is horrible. On BBC news they're saying the shuttle was 400,000 feet up when communications were lost and it seemed more likely to be an accident. My thoughts are with you guys.

-Jim

You never know who could be a terrorist. I don't think it was a terrorist attack, it wouldn't have done enough damage to us. I think it was just what happened on take off that ruined the ship. I'm really sorry for everyone that ost a loved one in this mission.

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Joe Barnett
Moderator
http://www.pkiunlimited.com

Very sad, but yeah, it doesn't say it exploded or what happened exactly.......but whatever the case is, is truely sad.

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CCI Lives On!
-Patrick

This is very, very sad day indeed.

May our thoughts and prays be with these and ALL of the Brave and Couragious Shuttle Members and their Families at this time...they are Truely American Heroes

*** This post was edited by Coaster Cruiser 2/1/2003 10:18:03 AM ***

If you watch the ticker at the bottom of the CNN broadcast, they mention that debris hit the wing of the shuttle on takeoff, and insulation was seen falling from that wing. I think if you put 2 and 2 together here, that debris put a crack in the wing, and a crack in the insulation when you're re-entering the atmosphere at 12,500 mph ... *boom* I feel bad for all involved and hope that there are no further casulaties from falling debris.

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Just don't be stupid. It's really not that hard.
Kumba's #1
-- Brett

I live in the Dallas area and I've talked to a couple of people who actually heard the shuttle flew over or saw this disaster as it happened. Very sad indeed. I have nothing but the utmost respect for someone who gives their life while involved in an endeavor that may better this world that we live in. My thoughts and prayers are with these heroes and their families.

PittDesigner, I'm pretty sure that most of the debris has already landed, at least the bulk of it. One problem could be if someone comes in contact with toxic materials used in the propellant.

--Ryan

Yea I just saw that on CNN that its mostly down ... yea, the tiles are what I meant by "insulation". It's such a dangerous thing in the first place. I wonder if it would have even been possible to abort mission when they saw the wing get hit on takeoff?

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Just don't be stupid. It's really not that hard.
Kumba's #1
-- Brett

Yes, there is a scneraio where they can do a partial launch abort before reaching orbit, but it has of course never been attempted, and is EXTREMELY risky. The odds of survival on that scenerio are very poor. It's probably better to chance things being OK.

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- "I used to be in the audio/visual club, but I was kicked out because of my views on Vietnam........and I was stealing projectors" - Homer Simpson

Where have you heard about damage during takeoff? On ABC radio, they have been saying that Nasa describes the launch as "picture perfect". There were no delays or glitches during the countdown or launch. If there was damage from debris, I doubt they would describe it as picture perfect.

It was on the ticker at the base of CNN Headline News' broadcast. Just one of those little things I saw out of the corner of my eye, but I know I read it right. I'll try and find that information on cnn.com.

Edit: I just saw it go by again. If you turn on CNN right now, its on the tickertape, a few lines after a blip about people feeling explosion in Shreveport, LA. That breakup video is just freaky ...

Thanks for the info Peabody - yea sounds like in this situation, there's an increased chance of disaster, but its less if they just let the mission go on as planned.

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Just don't be stupid. It's really not that hard.
Kumba's #1
-- Brett
*** This post was edited by PittDesigner 2/1/2003 10:41:17 AM ***
*** This post was edited by PittDesigner 2/1/2003 10:44:53 AM ***

I actually just heard it right after I submitted that last post. They described it as very minor damage from small debris.

My Dad woke me up about 30 minutes ago. This is horrible and I can't imagine how the families of the crew are feeling.

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Emerging from the ashes of Eric 013...

Yea but even minor damage in the right place can be disasterous. Re-entry is as sensitive as say, deep water exploration. Even the tiniest crack if its in the right place can be easily widened by the pressure and temperature, and once a fissure is created, it hits more vital systems, the heat gets to fuel lines, and well ... just watch the video ...

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Just don't be stupid. It's really not that hard.
Kumba's #1
-- Brett