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If anyone can find a place on the Internet where we can send our condolences would you post the information here? I haven't been able to find anything yet....
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OMG! Space Shuttle Columbia!
- Thread starter deb25
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I read today on cnn.com that Mission Control recorded a 60 degree temperature spike on the left side in under 5 minutes, compared to a 15 degrees on the right side. It is truly amazing as to how the experts can interpret all the data.
mourning the seven lost...
k.
k.
Ther have been reports of debris being found in Phoenix. It hasn't been confirmed, as shuttle debris, yet.
I read a report that people are stealing bits and pieces and replacing them with pennies. There are not enough law enforcement and military personnel available, to guard each site. Maybe, one of these ghouls will come into contact with one of those explosive bolts.
I'm going to watch the memorial service, today. All of the networks and cable news outlets are going to carry it live.
I read a report that people are stealing bits and pieces and replacing them with pennies. There are not enough law enforcement and military personnel available, to guard each site. Maybe, one of these ghouls will come into contact with one of those explosive bolts.
I'm going to watch the memorial service, today. All of the networks and cable news outlets are going to carry it live.
Here is a website to send your condolences to the families......
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/feedback/condolence/
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/feedback/condolence/
Tjhe debris reports, from Arizona are still unconfirmed. A report from Yuma turned out to be a piece of burnt toast.
The Nacodoches County Sheriff's Dept. is preparing arrest warrants, for looters. Its a Federal offense to remove debris, from an accident site. If convicted, they could get 10 years and a $250,000 fine.
The memorial service was well done. It was mostly concentrated on celebrating the astronauts' lives.
The Nacodoches County Sheriff's Dept. is preparing arrest warrants, for looters. Its a Federal offense to remove debris, from an accident site. If convicted, they could get 10 years and a $250,000 fine.
The memorial service was well done. It was mostly concentrated on celebrating the astronauts' lives.
This article was published in Wednesday's edition of my local paper, www.postbulletin.com
"Startling" photograph draws NASA's attention
Electrical bolt could have several explanations
By Sabin Russell
San Francisco Chronicle
SAN FRANCISCO--Top investigators of the Columbia space shuttle disaster are analyzing a startling photograph--snapped by an amateur astronomer from a San Francisco hillside--that appears to show a purplish electrical bolt striking the craft as it streaked across the California sky.
The digital image is one of five snapped by the shuttle buff at roughly 7:53 a.m. (CST) Saturday as sensors on the doomed orbiter began showing the first indications of trouble. Seven minutes later the craft broke up in flames over Texas.
The photographer requested that his name not be used and said he will not release the image to the public until NASA experts have time to examine it.
Although there are several possible benign explanations for the image, such as a barely perceptable jiggle of the camera as it took the time exposure, NASA's zeal to examine it demonstrates the lengths at which the agency is going to tap the resources of ordinary Americans in solving the puzzle.
Late Tuesday, NASA dispatched former shuttle astronaut Tammy Jernigan, now a manager at Lawrence Livermore Laboratories, to the San Francisco home of the astronomer to examine his digital images and to take the camera itself to Mountain View, where it was to be taken to Houston this morning.
A Chronicle reporter was present when the astronaut arrived. First seeing the image on a large computer screen, she had one word: "Wow."
In the critical shot, a flowing purple rope of light corkscrews down toward the plasma trail, appears to pass behind it, then cuts sharply toward it from below. As it merges with the plasma trail, the streak itself brightens for a distance then fades.
Possible debris found far west of Texas, where Columbia was seen breaking up, could shed light on the earliest stages of the disaster that killed the shuttle's seven astronauts, officials said.
More than 12,000 recovered remnants, many nickel-sized, have created a growing mosaic of evidence that could take months or years to pick through.
"Startling" photograph draws NASA's attention
Electrical bolt could have several explanations
By Sabin Russell
San Francisco Chronicle
SAN FRANCISCO--Top investigators of the Columbia space shuttle disaster are analyzing a startling photograph--snapped by an amateur astronomer from a San Francisco hillside--that appears to show a purplish electrical bolt striking the craft as it streaked across the California sky.
The digital image is one of five snapped by the shuttle buff at roughly 7:53 a.m. (CST) Saturday as sensors on the doomed orbiter began showing the first indications of trouble. Seven minutes later the craft broke up in flames over Texas.
The photographer requested that his name not be used and said he will not release the image to the public until NASA experts have time to examine it.
Although there are several possible benign explanations for the image, such as a barely perceptable jiggle of the camera as it took the time exposure, NASA's zeal to examine it demonstrates the lengths at which the agency is going to tap the resources of ordinary Americans in solving the puzzle.
Late Tuesday, NASA dispatched former shuttle astronaut Tammy Jernigan, now a manager at Lawrence Livermore Laboratories, to the San Francisco home of the astronomer to examine his digital images and to take the camera itself to Mountain View, where it was to be taken to Houston this morning.
A Chronicle reporter was present when the astronaut arrived. First seeing the image on a large computer screen, she had one word: "Wow."
In the critical shot, a flowing purple rope of light corkscrews down toward the plasma trail, appears to pass behind it, then cuts sharply toward it from below. As it merges with the plasma trail, the streak itself brightens for a distance then fades.
Possible debris found far west of Texas, where Columbia was seen breaking up, could shed light on the earliest stages of the disaster that killed the shuttle's seven astronauts, officials said.
More than 12,000 recovered remnants, many nickel-sized, have created a growing mosaic of evidence that could take months or years to pick through.
On Friday, the day before the space shuttle Columbia was to land in Florida, mission specialist Laurel Clark sent an e-mail to friends and family describing the awe-inspiring views of Earth from orbit. Here is the full text of her message:
HELLO FROM ABOVE our magnificent planet Earth. The perspective is truly awe-inspiring. This is a terrific mission and we are very busy doing science round the clock. Just getting a moment to type e-mail is precious so this will be short, and distributed to many who I know and love.
I have seen some incredible sights: lightning spreading over the Pacific, the Aurora Australis lighting up the entire visible horizon with the cityglow of Australia below, the crescent moon setting over the limb of the Earth, the vast plains of Africa and the dunes on Cape Horn, rivers breaking through tall mountain passes, the scars of humanity, the continuous line of life extending from North America, through Central America and into South America, a crescent moon setting over the limb of our blue planet. Mount Fuji looks life a small bump from up here, but it does stand out as a very distinct landmark.
Magically, the very first day we flew over Lake Michigan and I saw Wind Point (Wis.) clearly. Havenâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t been so lucky since. Every orbit we go over a slightly different part of the Earth. Of course, much of the time Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m working back in Spacehab and donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t see any of it. Whenever I do get to look out, it is glorious. Even the stars have a special brightness.
I have seen my â€[emoji]8482[/emoji]friendâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji] Orion several times. Taking photos of the earth is a real challenge, but a steep learning curve. I think I have finally gotten some beautiful shots the last 2 days. Keeping my fingers crossed that theyâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]re in sharp focus.
My near vision has gotten a little worse up here so you may have seen pics/video of me wearing glasses. I feel blessed to be here representing our country and carrying out the research of scientists around the world. All of the experiments have accomplished most of their goals despite the inevitable hiccups that occur when such a complicated undertaking is undertaken. Some experiments have even done extra science. A few are finished and one is just getting started today.
The food is great and I am feeling very comfortable in this new, totally different environment. It still takes a while to eat as gravity doesnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t help pull food down your esophagus. It is also a constant challenge to stay adequately hydrated. Since our body fluids are shifted toward our heads our sense of thirst is almost nonexistent.
Thanks to many of you who have supported me and my adventures throughout the years. This was definitely one to beat all. I hope you could feel the positive energy that beamed to the whole planet as we glided over our shared planet.
Love to all, Laurel
HELLO FROM ABOVE our magnificent planet Earth. The perspective is truly awe-inspiring. This is a terrific mission and we are very busy doing science round the clock. Just getting a moment to type e-mail is precious so this will be short, and distributed to many who I know and love.
I have seen some incredible sights: lightning spreading over the Pacific, the Aurora Australis lighting up the entire visible horizon with the cityglow of Australia below, the crescent moon setting over the limb of the Earth, the vast plains of Africa and the dunes on Cape Horn, rivers breaking through tall mountain passes, the scars of humanity, the continuous line of life extending from North America, through Central America and into South America, a crescent moon setting over the limb of our blue planet. Mount Fuji looks life a small bump from up here, but it does stand out as a very distinct landmark.
Magically, the very first day we flew over Lake Michigan and I saw Wind Point (Wis.) clearly. Havenâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t been so lucky since. Every orbit we go over a slightly different part of the Earth. Of course, much of the time Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m working back in Spacehab and donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t see any of it. Whenever I do get to look out, it is glorious. Even the stars have a special brightness.
I have seen my â€[emoji]8482[/emoji]friendâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji] Orion several times. Taking photos of the earth is a real challenge, but a steep learning curve. I think I have finally gotten some beautiful shots the last 2 days. Keeping my fingers crossed that theyâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]re in sharp focus.
My near vision has gotten a little worse up here so you may have seen pics/video of me wearing glasses. I feel blessed to be here representing our country and carrying out the research of scientists around the world. All of the experiments have accomplished most of their goals despite the inevitable hiccups that occur when such a complicated undertaking is undertaken. Some experiments have even done extra science. A few are finished and one is just getting started today.
The food is great and I am feeling very comfortable in this new, totally different environment. It still takes a while to eat as gravity doesnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t help pull food down your esophagus. It is also a constant challenge to stay adequately hydrated. Since our body fluids are shifted toward our heads our sense of thirst is almost nonexistent.
Thanks to many of you who have supported me and my adventures throughout the years. This was definitely one to beat all. I hope you could feel the positive energy that beamed to the whole planet as we glided over our shared planet.
Love to all, Laurel
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All I can say to that is Wow! Despite this tragedy and Challenger's, I would jump on that shuttle in a minute, given the opportunity. It sounds magnificent.
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Thanks for sharing that- what wondrous things to see and write about. A true visionary that would of really made her mark on all of us if her feet had landed on solid ground. Now she soars the heavens.
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My son is hell bent on being an astronaut....probably because his mother raised him on a steady diet of Star Trek........I am not the type of person who lives vicariously through her kids, but if this does come to pass, I would make an exception!
Just wanted to let everyone know that this weeks People magazine has a beautiful tribute for all the members. I highly recommend it!
I have been fascinated by the skies since I was ten years old, and at one time wanted to be an astronomer. My talents were not in science and math, unfortunately. But I have never lost my interest in space, and would have loved to see Earth from outer space. My son was also weaned on Startrek. In fact he is still an active Trekkie, but I admit to being hooked only on the original series. God bless those brave people who did what we only dream of.
