wfgodot
Former Member
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2009
- Messages
- 30,166
- Reaction score
- 796
01 February 2003.
NASA expert reveals Columbia shuttle crew were not told of problem with re-entry as families mark 10-year anniversary (Daily Mail)
Wayne Hale's blog about the Columbia flight: http://waynehale.wordpress.com/
NASA expert reveals Columbia shuttle crew were not told of problem with re-entry as families mark 10-year anniversary (Daily Mail)
much, much more - a long and very affecting article about the survivors on the ground - with pictures and video, at link aboveA NASA has revealed that the Columbia crew were not told that the shuttle had been damaged and that they might not survive re-entry.
---
Ten years ago, experts at NASA's mission control faced the terrible decision over whether to let the astronauts know that they may die on re-entry or face orbiting in space until the oxygen ran out.
Those on the ground decided that it would be better if the crew were spared knowledge of the risks.
There was no way to repair any suspected damage - the crew were far from the International Space Station and had no robotic arm for repairs. It would have taken too long to send up another shuttle to rescue them.
Wayne Hale, who went on to become space shuttle program manager, has written on his blog about the fateful day.
Mr Hale writes: 'When possible damage to the orbiter was discussed, he (Flight Director Jon Harpold) gave me his opinion: "You know, there is nothing we can do about damage to the TPS (Thermal Protection System).
'"If it has been damaged it's probably better not to know. I think the crew would rather not know. Don't you think it would be better for them to have a happy successful flight and die unexpectedly during entry than to stay on orbit, knowing that there was nothing to be done, until the air ran out?"'
---
Wayne Hale's blog about the Columbia flight: http://waynehale.wordpress.com/