Shuttle landing delays thanks to 20th century technology

by Alex Zaharov-Reutt

Friday, 22 June 2007

Page 1 of 2 ! As the Atlantis awaits calm weather and clearance by NASA to land, hopefully on Friday but possibly on Saturday or even Sunday, the gap between reality and sci-fi is all too evident. From crashing computers on the International Space Station to a Shuttle fleet that is becoming more fragile with every flight, the latest STS-117 mission to the ISS having its share of dramatic moments that even entailed the possibility, although remote, of complete ISS evacuation. While the spacecraft of sci-fi can travel through hyperspace and come equipped with powerful shields and defensive weapons, the Space Shuttle has to wait because of rain and clouds getting in the way of a smooth and safe landing. NASA’s strict set of conditions for landing are not to be broken, however – they simply reflect the reality of today’s technology. The New York Times quoted some of the comments between Shuttle astronauts and NASA mission control, with Cmdr. Dominic A. Antonelli saying in Houston that: “We looked at it as hard and as long as we think is reasonable. The rain showers and the ceilings are going to keep us from making it into Florida today.” Cmdr. Antonelli is also reported to have told the commander of Atlantis, Col. Frederick W. Sturckow that: “If the weather is good at Edwards tomorrow, just like you said, and not at KSC, then we’re going to land there. We are going to try to land tomorrow.” Col. Sturckow replies, “O.K., yep, we understand that. Thank you very much, Houston. Sounds like a great game plan.” Cmd. Antonelli is referring to the back-up landing site, Edwards Air Force Base in California, with yet another back-up landing site at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico available if necessary. Meanwhile, the computers abroad the ISS have been fixed, but it turns out the fix is a hack. Bypasses had to be used to bypass the large power switches on the German-built and Russian supplied computers to get them to work properly. ISS crew members tried removing the bypasses and to start the computers normally, but this failed. The bypass is still working on the other four computers, as is the oxygen generator, so the ISS crew is in no danger, as they continue working on why the computers still aren’t 100%. The ISS and the different space programs of the US, Russia, China, Europe and other countries certainly are wonderful to see. They serve as a fantastic platform for humanity’s  journey into the exploration of the universe. But when will our sci-fi inspired space future emerge? Please read onto page 2 for the conclusion. << First page <   1 2 Next page > Last page - Post your comment >>

 

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