Endeavour: tile damage, again

[thechronic]

This is true. Want to really get mad?

The scenario of a mid-air breakup had been thought of during development, and it was suggested that the crew capsule get parachutes. This was not done to give the shuttle a greater payload. Also, the drop-test vehicle Enterprise had blow-out panels and ejection seats, but these too were omitted on later birds.

The ejection system was actually developed for Gemini, which had ejection seats good for exits up to 14 miles high. On exit the crewmembers seat would deploy a ballute (balloon + parachute) which stabilize the astronaut, both protecting and decelerating him. This would be discarded and a parachute deployed at a lower altitude.

Later ballute concepts would surround the astronaut and be capable of a full space re-entry, something Columbia may have found useful.

That is absolutely terrible, i was aware that they intended to add such a safety feature in light of the disaster...wow how awful :(

[neoadorable]

indeed awful. so what's the status with Endeavor right now?

[DocM]

They cleared it, then went back for another look. This indicates they weren't confident with the first clearance. They cleared it again, but who knows?

One historical point: the last shuttle space walk is finished. No more - the last flight in July will only deliver cargo with a minimal crew of 4 instead of the usual 7.

[neoadorable]

that's ok man, in five years will be drinking a cold one watching our fellow humans walking on our moon once more :cool:

edit: i wish the Endeavor crew all the best, they'll be fine. and low orbit space walks are about to stop being the stuff of headline news, thank goodness