Space Forum / Shuttle / July 2005

I read that the much denser LOX is on the top[*] of the ET, with the
LH below it.  This seems counter-intuitive.  I would think from a
structural point of view, you would want the heavier stuff on the
bottom, and it would also move the vehicle's CG aft, which I would

Don't get me wrong, I grew up as a fan of space exploration and even watched
the first moon launch from about 50mi away in Florida as an infant.  I hate
what Bush did to NASA, diverting its scarce resources to a purported Moon/Mars
mission that is impossible on a $15bil/year budget.

Any reason why the foam cannot be *inside* the fuel tank?

What species of bird was struck at lift-off? Most of what I saw at the
Cape was rather large vultures or gulls?  Another question that I have
concerns the woodpecker problem/solution of the main fuel tank some
years back. How did they solve that problem?

Could someone in the know please provide an overview of how
the Space Shuttle catches up with the Space Station.
Unless I'm wrong two objects orbiting at the same altitude, in the same
direction -must- travel at the same speed since altitude in a circular

Watching the replay from the ET-cam, I thought I saw some debris that
passed under the starboard wing just after SRB sep.  It went by so fast
that I only had an brief impression of it looking like a piece of paper or
wrapping.

For the last couple of nights, one of the networks (NBC, I think) has
been showing a very brief clip of a fly-away white panel (fairly
large), as the external tank begins its more vertical descent. Brian
Williams may have referred to it as a large sheet of ice. I think the

What would we face if we're talking about a one-year delay in RTF-3?

Mind you this is coming from an ignorant Comp-sci student, but...
Would it be possible to use a balute to aid re-entry when there is some risk
of damage to the tiles?
Have balute's even been tested, or are they more in the theoretical/science-

I guess we now know why it would be better to *not* have a side mounted
shuttle.

Right, I'll cut to the chase here. I was listening yesterday and heard some
interchanges with the Shuttle regarding an error line in a self test of a
piece of what I assume is the Shuttle Avionics. Ref was made to one line
being in red. I never heard the outcome, and Eileen ...

I revised this a couple of days ago, from something  I wrote a while
back...  How sad, that in just the last day, another setback...
___
It's exhilirating that the shuttle has returned to orbit, but those of

Put the future orbiters on the top of the launchers!!!!

I understand there was a DVD copy distributed, but it's hard finding one.
Anyone know where I might look for one? Willing to pay.
(Also willing to just make a copy, plus compensation, if one could be loaned.)
-Dan

As we all know the Shuttle is a very complex, and apparently fragile,
space vehicle. It has all types of communication and telemetry systems.
Could it be possible that the Shuttle crew has internet service on
board? The technology for this is certainly possible.