Re: If we knew columbia was doomed and no rescue attempt planned

[Fred Garvin]

On Fri, 04 Jul 2003 09:42:49 -0400, Hallerb wrote:

> Would they have intentionally deorbted the vehicle over the ocean before
> it ran out of supplies so it wouldnt be a hazatrd in a uncontrolled
> reentry?


*PLONK*

[Hallerb]

>
>> Would they have intentionally deorbted the vehicle over the ocean before
>> it ran out of supplies so it wouldnt be a hazatrd in a uncontrolled
>> reentry?
>
>
>*PLONK*
>
>

Hey its a legit question. Would nasa have voluntarily left a crippled orbiter
in orbit to deorbit someday uncontrolled?

[Herb Schaltegger]

In article >,
(Hallerb) wrote:

> >
> >> Would they have intentionally deorbted the vehicle over the ocean before
> >> it ran out of supplies so it wouldnt be a hazatrd in a uncontrolled
> >> reentry?
> >
> >
> >*PLONK*
> >
> >
>
> Hey its a legit question. Would nasa have voluntarily left a crippled orbiter
> in orbit to deorbit someday uncontrolled?

It's a stupid question from you, Bob, as you've been polluting this
newsgroup with this kind of (litteral) Chicken Little stuff for more
than five months now. This topic has been hashed and re-hashed several
times already. Google for it.

--
Herb Schaltegger, Esq.
Chief Counsel, Human O-Ring Society
"I was promised flying cars! Where are the flying cars?!"
~ Avery Brooks

[Bryan Ashcraft]

"Hallerb" > wrote in message
...
> Would they have intentionally deorbted the vehicle over the ocean before
it ran
> out of supplies so it wouldnt be a hazatrd in a uncontrolled reentry?

The FAQ regarding Columbia has been posted many times now. I cordially
suggest you read it before posting a topic like this again.

BA

The STS-107 Columbia Loss FAQ can be found
at the following URLs:

Text-Only Version:
http://www.io.com/~o_m/columbia_loss_faq.html

Enhanced HTML Version:
http://www.io.com/~o_m/columbia_loss_faq_x.html

[Dosco Jones]

"Mr. Smith" > wrote in message
...
> >hazatrd
>
> What is this word "hazatrd?"
> I am not familiar with it.
>


It is pronounced "has a turd", and is applicable to hallerb under most
circumstances.

Dosco

[Jorge R. Frank]

Craig Keithley > wrote in
:

> If, after reaching orbit, the Shuttle is found to be damaged in such a
> way that it's known (with absolute certainty) that it won't survive
> reentry and can't be re-supplied, would NASA elect to bring the
> Shuttle down over an unpopulated or lightly populated area?

> What areas would be preferred? The ocean?

Yes, specifically the South Pacific.

> How small a debris
> footprint is possible with a controlled & planned re-entry? For
> example, would the debris footprint be small enough to fit in the
> Mojave desert?

To minimize the footprint, you'd want to delay the onset of breakup to the
lowest possible altitude. Since the normal entry profile already attempts
to minimize heating, that's the best bet. Therefore, the debris footprint
seen in the actual flight (250x10 miles) is about as small as you could
get.

--
JRF

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