SouthernMdRocks
R.I.P. Bobo, We miss you!
However I also found this.
True statement!
However I also found this.
...says some engineers had concerns;
My memory says it was in the press that there were concerns.
They didn't have the ARM onboard to support an EVA.I recall basically what you recall. I don't remember an EVA to check the tiles though.
...so just to add to this, it seems to me I recall that there was time, days, maybe a week or so to do something. I think I remember talk of the crew taking a look.
So, for those far more knowledgeable than me;
Is this something that could be patched in space?
Is it feasible to have another shuttle up in an emergency? How quick can one be put up in an emergency?
Again, my whole point is that the US doesn't just sit there and say 'Oh well, nothing we can do anyhow' when there's still time on the clock.
"America's decision to destroy a defunct spy satellite orbiting Earth by firing a missile into outer space provoked a diplomatic row today, with both China and Russia accusing the US of having carried out a covert weapons test.
The Pentagon claimed that it had fired the missile from the Pacific Ocean to destroy the satellite - which was 133 miles above the Earth - purely because of potentially toxic hydrazine fuel on board the spacecraft which could harm humans.
However, Moscow and Beijing complained that the missile strike smacked of hypocrisy as the US had rejected a joint attempt by the two countries from banning weapons in outer space only a month ago. "
China and Russia cry foul after over satellite - Times Online
America will happily bomb Iraq with no remorse.... despite the innocent who are murdered daily. Yet, they want us to believe they shot down a satellite because of toxic fuels.
I don't believe for one second they had public safety on their mind, instead selfish needs of preventing competition getting hold of top secret remainders.
Jamie Kaufman, London,
So, the US 'think' they have hit the 'tank' of the missile! Consdering all their talk of 'colatteral' damage, in which they cannot even hit the 'right' targets on the ground, what a joke that is that they precisely 'managed' to hit the tank so far up in the atmosphere.
Arvin, London, GB
Since when does the USA care about our health???
Just a bunch of liars these dictators in the making.
laurent, london, uk
"America's decision to destroy a defunct spy satellite orbiting Earth by firing a missile into outer space provoked a diplomatic row today, with both China and Russia accusing the US of having carried out a covert weapons test.
If sea level gets high enough to be a concern in shooting down an orbiting satellite, dont we have greater issues to deal with at that time?"WASHINGTON — The Pentagon said Wednesday that the window of opportunity is now open for it to try to shoot down a failing spy satellite.
The Navy is planning to hit the satellite with a heat-seeking missile as early as Wednesday night. But officials had been waiting for the space shuttle Atlantis to return to Earth so it would not be hit by falling debris.
"We're now into the window," a senior defense official told a Pentagon press conference minutes after the shuttle landed at 9:07 a.m. EST.
He said it will remain open until Feb. 29 or 30 and that the decision to attempt a shot will depend on conditions in the atmosphere, such as sea levels, winds and other variables.
"We're watching weather today," he said. The ground rules of the news conference were that the official could not be quoted by name.
The military will be making decisions each day on whether to proceed with an attempt or not _ and criteria could change several times each day, he said."
US Could Try to Down Satellite Wednesday - The Huffington Post
If sea level gets high enough to be a concern in shooting down an orbiting satellite, dont we have greater issues to deal with at that time?
If sea level gets high enough to be a concern in shooting down an orbiting satellite, dont we have greater issues to deal with at that time?
They meant how rough the sea is.