machinehead Posted February 1, 2003 Report Posted February 1, 2003 Seventeeen years after Challenger, another crew of seven has been lost. Earlier this week, Gladiator posted pictures on Intraday Stool of the Challenger astronauts, and Grissom, Chaffee and White of the Apollo mission which burned at launch in 1967. May the Columbia crew rest in peace, and their families be comforted.
machinehead Posted February 1, 2003 Author Report Posted February 1, 2003 Gladiator's post on Jan. 28th: In Remembrance
Goldmember Posted February 1, 2003 Report Posted February 1, 2003 Yes, Hyper, there were some secutity fears over the Israeli crew member. Apparently a piece of a foam seal was damaged on liftoff and a piece of debris may have stuck a wing fin on ascent. This may have thrown off the re-entry angle into too steep of a descent. If I have to see footage of Arab fundamentalists jubilantly celebrating in the streets over this like after 9/11, then..... well.....DROP THE BOMBS!!
machinehead Posted February 1, 2003 Author Report Posted February 1, 2003 Ilan Ramon said the middle east looked so peaceful from up in space. He isn't here anymore. But maybe his words will echo in the ears of those who remain behind.
Hypertiger Posted February 1, 2003 Report Posted February 1, 2003 There will be outrage in the Middle east... Psychologically a huge blow...
machinehead Posted February 1, 2003 Author Report Posted February 1, 2003 Psychologically it's a huge blow for America. A death in the family at a moment of crisis. If there is a message here, we should listen hard to discern what it is.
Goldmember Posted February 1, 2003 Report Posted February 1, 2003 Each space shuttle airframe supposedly good for 100 missions. This was Columbia's 28th mission flight.
Mies van der Rump Posted February 1, 2003 Report Posted February 1, 2003 Came down like a shooting star... RIP may God bless their families
Goldmember Posted February 1, 2003 Report Posted February 1, 2003 There is a window of opportunity here for warring factions to pause and think beyond petty differences. I can only hope that condolences and respect will win the day between Arabs and Israelis. Step one would be for Sharon to standown his tanks and forces in Hebron and take a pause. Step two would be Arab response and reaction........ let's hope for the best possible outcome.
Goldilocks Posted February 1, 2003 Report Posted February 1, 2003 Good thinking Goldmember. Let's hope someone in power over there sees that.
Drano Posted February 1, 2003 Report Posted February 1, 2003 Hypertiger, you are wrong. Please do not turn this thread of grief over the deaths of brave human beings into a political thread. That said, I have to address your claim. There will not be outrage in the "Middle East." You really are trying to say, there will be outrage in Israel. There will not be outrage in Israel, just grief and mourning. The first Israeli astronaut was a diversion for them from the horrors of living with the constant threat of death or horrible injuries. Now it will be a time of national mourning. Again. A friend who visited Israel recently said that the papers were full of stories about the astronaut but that the danger was often mentioned too. Presumably you're not trying to say that there will be outrage in the 99% of the Middle East that is not Israel. This crew was an expression of the American dream. An African-American astronaut, one born in India and now a citizen, women, men, all working together peacefully with an astronaut from another country. I grieve for all these brave people and their families.
mksloth Posted February 1, 2003 Report Posted February 1, 2003 Truly a bad day for NASA. Anybody thinking that this has anything to do with the current geo-political situation should really go out and take a breath of fresh air. As Drano put it, this was a crew that was truly representative of the dream of America. Lost in all the chest rending about the first Israeli astronaut was the news that one of the specialists as a woman from India. Let me repeat that - a woman from a third world country. On her second flight too. Who came and got 2 degrees in this country. Absolutely amazing. This is one of those times when the phrase "only in America" actually is a good thing.
machinehead Posted February 1, 2003 Author Report Posted February 1, 2003 India is also a country which came close to the brink of nuclear war with a neighbor. This is an appropriate moment for America, India, Israel, and others to reflect. And as Goldmember said, perhaps make some gestures to bridge divides during a moment of collective grief, which would not have been possible otherwise.
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