I was 10 when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded. Old enough to understand what happened, and to understand the consequences. In 1985, a faulty o-ring, a seal on the solid rocket boosters (SRBs) failed, and as the shuttle passed through the sound barrier – or, in scientific terms, the area of maximum pressure – its engines are throttled down to 2/3’s capacity. After it breaks through, the familiar term “…go with throttle up” is sent from Texas to the shuttle. After Challenger’s engines were increased to 105% of capacity, the o-ring failed, igniting a fire, and the Challenger exploded.
Years passed before the next shuttle launch, and o-rings were redesigned.
On February 1st, 2003, the Columbia – one of NASA’s oldest shuttles – disintegrated over re-entry over the western United States. Foam insulation from liftoff broke off one of the SRBs, hit the shuttle wing, and during re-entry 2 weeks after liftoff, super hot gases entered the wing, and disintegrated Columbia over Texas as it traveled at several thousand miles per hour.
Today, after almost two and a half years of a complete redesign of NASA safety culture, the shuttle Discovery was launched, and it was a picture-perfect one at that.
Without drowning in Nationalism, it is quite something to think about. We’re the world’s remaining superpower, and even with all of our problems, we are always pushing the envelope of exploration, just like the people that ‘discovered’ America did.
Everything in life has a degree of risk. It is measured. Space Travel is risky. It’s also necessary, for the question that will always be is asked is “who are we?” and “why are we here?”. Space exploration is the only way to attempt to ever find an answer to this question.
The Shuttles will be retired in 2010, when the ISS (International Space Station) is due to be completed. Between now and then, remaining shuttle missions are devoted to completing the ISS. After that, a new “shuttle” will be designed to brings us to the Moon and to Mars. Hopefully, mankind will still be around to see this feat, and I hope I’m around too.
Congratulations to NASA and all involved. The work you do is so relevent to our existence, and I wish there were no problems that mankind had to work through, so 100% of our effort could be put on finding ourselves and others in the Universe.
Below are comments from 2003 and today, from people all around the world.
(Most text courtesy of the BBC)
THEN
The US space shuttle Columbia has broken up soon after re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere, killing all seven astronauts on board. All contact with the shuttle was lost about 15 minutes before it was due to land at the Kennedy space centre in Florida.
NASA has not confirmed what happened to the spacecraft but its vapour trail was seen to disintegrate into several smaller trails in the sky and there are reports of a loud boom and falling debris.
Both Nasa and the White House are flying their US flags at half-mast.
My heart is broken at the loss of seven people today. My windows rattled but at that moment I did not know why. I assumed it was some jet planes over head. It was about five minutes later I turned the TV on and started to hear the news.
Ladyenglish, Texas, USA
I felt so shocked when I listened to the news in the morning. Hard to believe the tragedy happened again, which happened seven years ago. I feel so sorry for the people that have lost their sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, wives and husbands. I feel so sorry that we have lost the bravest men and women who risk their lives to make our dreams come true.
Jun Zhang, China
In 1983 (if I recall correctly) the shuttle Columbia flew piggy-back over Manchester, UK, on a 747. It was a magnificent sight to witness, and now 20 or so years on, I’m seeing the demise of the same orbiter and her crew. I’m so sorry for the loss.
Andy T, UK
We saw the launch at Cape Canaveral a fortnight ago whilst on holiday. It is so sad that the shuttle we saw leaving will not be coming home.
Caroline Hack, Northern Ireland
An overwhelming tragedy. Our American friends continue to amaze me with their resilience in the face of catastrophe. The road to recovery has no doubt already begun.
Ian, Canada
We can’t ever forget that space travel is dangerous, that exploration, by nature, carries risk. The best way we can honour these astronauts, every astronaut who has died in their work, is to keep reaching up.
OTR, USA
America is the only country remotely interested in space travel; through them people from around the world are finding out about space. This is a sad loss not just to America but to the whole world.
Daniel Clegg, England
NOW:
“Take note of what you saw here today. The power and the majesty of the launch, of course, but also the competence and the professionalism, the sheer gall, the pluckiness, the grittiness of this team that pulled this program out of the depths of despair 2 1/2 years ago and made it fly,” NASA Administrator Michael Griffin told a press conference following the launch
“Oh! It was amazing!” said Thor Hurlen of Aalesund, Norway. “You see it on television, but now, to experience it for real and to feel its power — it’s just fantastic.”
For the Burrows family, who were visiting the United States from Burnley, England, Tuesday’s launch was moving.
“I got a lump in my throat,” said Hazel Burrows, 40, as she hugged her 8-year-old daughter. “I had to have my hankie ready because I had tears in my eyes. It was just so emotional.”
Hazel’s husband, Leigh, 30, said the joy of the launch inspired him.
“It was quite emotional, really,” he said. “Thinking about all the things that are happening in the world right now, especially in the United Kingdom with the bombings and things, this just kind of provides you with hope for the future. Something so amazing. Something so positive, you know?”
As he packed his truck to leave, Dave Apostol of Melbourne, Florida, reflected on his first shuttle launch.
“It was awesome!” said Apostol, who camped out overnight to get a spot right by the riverside. “It’s a testament to man’s dream. It’s like the Super Bowl of man’s technology. It’s the Super Bowl of man.”