Space Forum / Shuttle / January 2006

What are the products produced by sodium metal, liquid hydrogen, dry ice in
a vacuum vessel and then in a varying temperature/pressure system?

The Central Brevard Library and Reference Center in Cocoa is sponsoring
a talk "The Columbia Mission: Remembering the Astronauts" by aerospace
writer Philip Chien.
The free event is scheduled for Wednesday, January 25th at 5:30 p.m.

I have just been reading the CNN article on this mission. I have two
questions:
Firstly the article refers to Pluto's moons plural. What other moons does it
have besides Charon?

Libsurgents are upset that the 26 lbs of Plutonium didn't come raining
down...

In an exclusive interview with the BBC (sorry, story not yet on their
web site), Mike Griffin has told the BBC that the reasons for the foam
breaking up have been isolated and fixes now being applied, and shuttle
should be ready to fly by May.

I always like winged spaceplane,and hate capsule,no matter how secure
the capsule is,although after Columbia disaster,shuttle's final demise
is certain and winged spaceship is out of fashion, I still hope I can
see spaceship gliding back from space like a bird rather than smashing

Pluto - New Horizons PreLaunch Conference
http://space-tv.subdomain-service.de/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4
6&Itemid=2
January 17, Tuesday
11 a.m. - Pluto / New Horizons Launch Commentary Begins (Launch 1:24

Am I the only one who was reminded of "Andromeda Strain" upon seeing a
capsule that had travelled in outer space fall back on the ground in
remote area of USA ?
Out of curiosity, has NASA taken any steps to filly isolate/quarantine

I'm surprised there are no comments in either NG on the first broadcast of
this last night.
Absolutetly incredible and beautiful.  I need to get something to record HD
before this broadcasts again.

Finally I found a criticism of 'tomcat's spaceplane' that I liked.
Why, you ask, would you like a "criticism" of your spaceplane?  Because
it named figures and problems that I know can be overcome.
Here is the URL of the best criticism of a 'tomcat style' spaceplane I

http://www.floridatoday.com/columbia/columbiastory2A4996A.htm
Bad managers are getting moved to other postions of shuttle safety. Just like
people trying to protect managers here its occuring in NASA itself.
Those who ignorred safety rules and didnt hold meetings should be shown the

Looks like nasa is slashing the workforce and downsizing the shuttle to
a max of 2 flights per year. I guess this will keep enough workers for
the CEV. Hubble service flight still looks good.
I feel bad for the massive layoff coming. worse yet they will lose lots

Stardust Pre-return News Briefing at Dugway Proving Ground, Utah - JPL (Interactive Media Briefing)
In the early morning hours of January 15, 2006, the Stardust mission returns to Earth after a 4.63 billion kilometer (2.88 billion mile) round-trip journey carrying a precious ...

Link courtesy of http://www.nasawatch.com
The part that I found most interesting is the debate about whether
everything should go into the exploration program or should some funds be
used for a wider ranging program.  This is not a new discussion, as we can