There is a Soyuz capsule attached to the ISS to get them down. Plus there are other vehicles that go there, including unmanned supply/cargo ships. They're OK for a while. Thank God.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by BrandonS
[B]Yea, this is a real tragedy guys.

 

Same here robb, I just did the same thing. I feel very sad again and my prayers go out to the families of those involved.

 

It really makes me sad when this happens to people who are doing what I consider to be the most important thing we human beings can do: exploring and advancing our understanding of the universe. It's disgusting how poorly funded NASA has been in the last 20 years. Paying for a space program isn't essential to our survival, but we need to do it because it's what we're surviving for. It's what gives our species meaning and justifies our existence. What good is just surviving if you're not also doing something greater, and trying to comprehend all the mysteries we don't yet understand.

This also saddens me because it was the first Columbia mission, and the first space shuttle launch ever, that the band Rush used in their song "Countdown" back in 1982. They used audio from that launch in the song, and it's so thrilling it still gives me shivers whenever I hear that. I always used to think, at least it was Challenger that blew up, not Columbia. Columbia is the special one. I guess nothing is special anymore.

 

I completely agree.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the astronauts.
I believe our space program has been very impressive, I'm deeply saddened by this tragedy, but I can't help but think how many shuttles we have sent up into space. For many of us in this country I believe we had even gotten to a point where we thought nothing of it, it was just another launch, nothing special, they do it all the time.... And yet the reality is, they are some of the most complex pieces of equipment on this planet, completely worth of the word awesome.

 

OMG. Not again!



They just played a clip of Rick Husband, Commander of the Columbia, giving a memorial speech 3 days ago regarding the Apollo 1 and Challenger crews. Unbelieveable.

 

I hate to be the pesimistic one, but who remembers challenger. How long after that did they resume normal operations?? Yes, they will retrieve the astronauts from the space station, but what after that..... They'll launch a massive operation to find out what happened... could take forever. Even after that, they they go through every shuttle in the fleet piece by piece looking for possible defects and flaws. It happened with challenger, its just by best guess they'll do it again. I'm all for space exploration and believe it is the future. I'm studying to be an aerospace engineer and would one day love to be part of a project on the magnitude of the shuttle. Again, i just pray something meaningful comes from this. "He who forgets the past is doomed to repeat it" Churchill.. i think.

Brandon

 

January 28th, 2003. Quote from Shuttle Commander Rick Husband:

"It is today that we remember and honor the crews of Apollo 1 and Challenger. They made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives and service to their country and for all mankind. Their dedication and devotion to the exploration of space was an inspiration to each of us, and still motivates people around the world to achieve great things in service to others. As we orbit the Earth, we will join the entire NASA family for a moment of silence in their memory. Our thoughts and prayers go to their families as well."

 

It took NASA 21/2 years before they flew again!

 

Its a very sad day here in America due to this tradegy. We do have to return to space soon to get those guys on the International Space Station. Perhaps Russia can pick them up for us.

What pisses me off more than anything are these stupid newcasters who bring up terrorism. Everyone knows its not terrorism but they need something to talk about after 15 minutes of showing the same video over and over again. To bad we cant load up the other shuttle with these loons and blow that one up on purpose. Sorry if I am insensitve...i just hate news people.