Wayne Hale: "How We Nearly Lost Discovery."

In article 19151690.433.1337069227719.JavaMail.geo-discussion-
forums@pbcjv9, says...

On Wednesday, May 9, 2012 1:50:30 AM UTC-7, Robert Clark wrote:
How We Nearly Lost Discovery.
Posted on April 18, 2012

Now that Discovery is safely delivered to the Smithsonian, I
think I can tell the story of how we nearly lost her in July of 2005,
and how well-intentioned, highly motivated, hard-working, smart
people can miss the most obvious.
It?s tough to know people who have died. Many of us knew the
astronauts on Challenger and Columbia well. We had met with them
daily, we had visited in their homes, we knew their families, their
children. It is not an easy thing to lose a colleague; especially one
who entrusted their safety to you. So don?t question whether we were
motivated to prevent another loss.
Discovery was the shuttle return to flight vehicle after the
Challenger was lost; two and a half years were spent from January 28,
1986 until Discovery flew in September 1988. Many improvements were
made which resulted in a safe space flight.
Discover was the shuttle return to flight vehicle after Columbia was
lost; two and half years were spent from February 1, 2003 until
Discovery flew in July 2005. Many improvements were made but safety
was not assured.
It was not until Discovery again flew in July of 2006 before she flew
safely. That counts as the third ?return to flight? mission for
Discovery.
You see, we dodged a bullet in 2005. One we should have seen coming
but didn?t.

http://waynehale.wordpress.com/2012/...ost-discovery/


The lesson he draws is that you're never as smart as you think you
are, even among rocket scientists.


Bob Clark

If you carefully watch sound of the launches of the schuttle
prior to the last Challenger launch there were obvious burn
throughs of the rings of the solid rocket boosters.

Silence can be lie and a denial....................Trig

Cite?

Jeff
--
" Ares 1 is a prime example of the fact that NASA just can't get it
up anymore... and when they can, it doesn't stay up long. "
- tinker