Author Topic: Columbia’s legacy reminds NASA to avoid being distracted from future mission  (Read 10767 times)

Offline PahTo

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Thanks Chris--well done.

Hail Columbia!

Online DaveS

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John Crippens speech on the Runway days letter literally brought tears to my eyes when we was talking about Columbia and when he made the comment she was a little heavy in the rear :)
That was Robert Crippen, PLT on STS-1. The CDR was John Young.
"For Sardines, space is no problem!"
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"We're rolling in the wrong direction but for the right reasons"
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Offline brettreds2k

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My bad, I fixed it, I had the 2 names in my head when typing that
Brett
www.facebook.com/brett.lowenthal1

Orbiters I have visited in retirement:

[ ] Enterprise
[X] Discovery
[X] Atlantis
[ ] Endeavour

Offline Chris Bergin

Couple of videos that I think are apt:

Amazing launch view from Columbia's HST mission:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=961.0

And Bob Crippen's amazing speech about Columbia:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=3903.0
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Offline NavySpaceFan

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9 years ago, I was in the Eastern Mediterranean a day or two out from the Suez Canal while serving as navigator on board USS Bataan.  I remember receiving the word from the Officer of the Deck, then heading to my stateroom to watch CNN.  I just sat there thinking "not again."  I posted CAPT Crippen's eulogy on my FB page as I've done for the past 3 years.
<----First launch of DISCOVERY, STS-41D!!!!

Offline brettreds2k

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Couple of videos that I think are apt:

Amazing launch view from Columbia's HST mission:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=961.0

And Bob Crippen's amazing speech about Columbia:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=3903.0

That speech brings tears to my eyes still when watching it.
Brett
www.facebook.com/brett.lowenthal1

Orbiters I have visited in retirement:

[ ] Enterprise
[X] Discovery
[X] Atlantis
[ ] Endeavour

Offline Martin FL

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Brilliant. Another example of what sets this site apart from the others.

Offline Space Pete

A brilliant, moving, and truly heartfelt article Chris.

I wasn't even following the space program nine years ago, but even just imagining what it must have been like...brings chills to the spine. I've never experienced a disaster as an in-depth follower of the space program, and I hope I never will.

I think the first commercial crew spacecraft to launch (or MPCV, if that ends up coming first) should launch with an STS-107 tribute aboard - it would really "close the circle" between the chain of events that set about Shuttle's retirement, and the post-Shuttle future.
NASASpaceflight ISS Editor

Offline Davie OPF

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Very moving, thanks Chris!

Offline Clint88

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Wonderful tribute!

Offline Beemer

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Thank you for a wonderful article  :'(

That day I had left my apartment to go to my parents' home just up the street. I left while  Columbia had entered the atmosphere figuring I'd arrive just in time to see her come in for landing.

I got out of my Jeep and my mother was waiting for me on the porch- she knows what a space geek I am- and the first words out of her mouth were "They can't get the space shuttle on the radio". I knew Columbia was lost then, Mission Control just didn't lose contact with a shuttle without something terrible happening.

Columbia the grand dame of the shuttle fleet was no more.

May she and her crew rest in peace.
Ride, Sally Ride! In memory of Sally Ride [1951-2012] America's first woman astronaut

Offline AndrewSTS

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The set of articles for these anniversaries have been amazing, but I think this one is emotionally right on the money. For a technical site to produce that article, world class.

Offline GBCT#5

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Well done as always Chris.

Columbia was a game changer, so many times and in so many ways.

As for the shuttles,  they really are far more than just machines.

The people who tend to them, operate them and fly them are far more than just Astronauts, Engineers and Technicians. Their actions really speak for themselves. Where else would a group work with such dedication and focus, even right up until the last day......

Still, it's good to pause and remember.

Offline Bubbinski

That was an excellent article Chris! 

I got up early that morning to watch the shuttle reentry, but the sky was overcast so I went back inside and turned the TV to CNN.  Then I remember Miles O'Brien saying there was a problem, that they had lost communications.  I thought "well, that's just because of the heat of reentry".  Then there were reports from Dallas of a vehicle breaking up, and the controllers were told to conserve data.  Then I knew something was very wrong.  A friend of mine at work whose dad worked for NASA asked me if I'd heard about the shuttle and she told me that her dad had worked with one of the astronauts (Chawla). 

Rest in peace Columbia and STS-107 crew.  You will never be forgotten.
I'll even excitedly look forward to "flags and footprints" and suborbital missions. Just fly...somewhere.

Offline Seattle Dave

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When most media are throwing out negative news, this article shows how to do what was a negative event it in a respectful and informative way. Really will go back and read that article from time to time. It's a leveller.

Offline Robotbeat

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Very good article. Thank you, Chris.
Chris  Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

To the maximum extent practicable, the Federal Government shall plan missions to accommodate the space transportation services capabilities of United States commercial providers. US law http://goo.gl/YZYNt0

Offline Rocket Science

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A wonderful tribute Chris... It brought tears to my eyes and memories fresh as the day it happened...
"The laws of physics are unforgiving"
~Rob: Physics instructor, Aviator

Offline Stardust9906

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Bumping for the Anniversary.

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