astrobrian - 2/5/2007 4:28 PMWould a Sky Crane Helicopter be able to lift it? Or would mods to the container need to be made?
Chris Bergin - 2/5/2007 8:26 PMNASA saying they believe this is the first serious incident with the booster train in Shuttle history.
cz77 - 2/5/2007 3:59 PMThe bridge collapsed? It would almost be comical if it wasnt so serious.
edkyle99 - 2/5/2007 11:10 PMI'm wondering why these segments, parts for NASA's multi-billion dollar babies, are being shipped over what appears to be "iffy" trackage. This accident appears to have happened on a stretch of little-used track owned (at least in 2003) by CSX Transportation. According to Harry Ladd's 2003 "U.S. Railroad Traffic Atlas", this track, which runs from a short-line connection at Myrtlewood, AL to Montgomery, AL probably only hosts one or two local freight trains per day at most, which means there is little revenue available to keep the track in good shape. CSX earnings, along with the earnings of most North American railroads, have been in decline recently, a problem that often causes deferred maintenance.
Gary - 3/5/2007 7:52 AMWill the NTSB be carrying out an investigation into the derailment?
From the NASA Press ReleaseThese segments are interchangeable, and ATK Launch Systems has replacement units that could be used for the shuttle flights, if necessary.
Chris Bergin - 3/5/2007 2:00 PMQuoteFrom the NASA Press ReleaseThese segments are interchangeable, and ATK Launch Systems has replacement units that could be used for the shuttle flights, if necessary. ATK used the word "Bull Crap" when I passed that on. NASA PAO got it wrong.
hmh33 - 3/5/2007 9:34 AMHope all the injured recover quickly."The spare motor could be used for static tests as a test item. Certain parts of the scrapped motor would be recycled (washed out and recovered). "Barbeque anyone?