Space Forum / Shuttle / July 2005

I'm not an engineer, but I was wondering about the Columbia launch.
Please forgive me if I'm not stating the question very good.
Since the mission wasn't going to Hubble or ISS, I'm wondering how far
into the mission the flight profile (hope I'm calling that the correct

N° 36-2005 - Paris, 8 July 2005
ESA awaits Space Shuttle's return to flight
The US Space Shuttle is poised to lift off from the Kennedy Space Center as
of 13 July on a 12-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The

Latest hurricane Dennis prediction moved KSC just inside the 10-19%
strike zone. Hummm.
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at4+shtml/205500.shtml?prob

http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/nation/12074441.htm
<begin quote>
James Wetherbee, a former astronaut who commanded five space-shuttle
missions, left NASA in January because he was frustrated by the lack of

It was the perfect day for a launch, just beautiful. Blue skies, no wind
all the way to the heavens, and it almost didn't happen. Prelaunch
predicted vehicle loads were at or above limits (100%), giving mission
managers much to think about before the decision was finally made "go".

What the the readiness status of Atlantis should it be needed to cover for a
damaged Discovery ?
Is it ready to be moved to VAB ? Is there an ET and SRB sets ready at KSC ?
Does NASA have a NET lauch time for Atlantis should it be needed ?

How much do the shuttle crews make. I assume they are all paid on a
military scale but do they get extra flight pay, "space pay" or any
other crazy stuff like that?
Chris

Only a few years too late. Better late than never though.
http://www.nasa.gov/vision/space/workinginspace/aercam.html
Re,
Dirk

Looks like Griffin has made his decision -
Regarding the heavy-lifter:
"According to sources familiar with the study's final recommendations,
the heavy lifter will be a "stacked" or "in line" configuration (one

Does anyone know of any work toward an RS-68 derived axial aerospike engine?
Wouldn't it likely reduce the weight and throttle range for an expendable
launcher--and therefore cost?

From Aviation Week:
http://aviationnow.ecnext.com/free-scripts/comsite2.pl?page=aw_document&article=
06275p02
Pat

I watched it for the lightning, but it had a large section devoted to the
shuttle and the famous "purple streak" photo.
They showed the photo, which looked like purple lightning hitting Columbia.
The photo was a 6 second exposure, as the bolt hit

Dick Cheney has AIDS - he was sneaked through the heart specialty part
of the hospital nad into the the AIDS diagnosis and treatment clinic.
What an a-hole hypocrite.  I guess that's why "W" s looking to move away
from Cheney's ad "vice"..  What a load of dumbasses Republicans ...

Is there any way to reuse the SSMEs and/or SRBs for
future design launchers? It seems like a shame to just
chuck them, especially the SSMEs now that they seem
fairly robust and reliable, and start over again.

Review board says shuttle safe despite NASA failure to fully implement three
CAIB recommendations
http://cbsnews.cbs.com/network/news/space/current.html
WASHINGTON - An independent panel charged with assessing NASA's