Space Shuttle on another mission

Heard something about a "tear" somewhere on the space shuttle. Don't know very much about it yet, but will post more when I hear something new. This is getting kinda ridiculous with something "tearing" or "falling" off these things everytime they are sent up.

They'll just keep sending them up until an entire wing falls off. I really don't want to watch any coming down or going up any more. After watching Challenger explode live as it happened, I'd just rather not be watching to see that happen again.

Thoul wrote:

They'll just keep sending them up until an entire wing falls off. I really don't want to watch any coming down or going up any more. After watching Challenger explode live as it happened, I'd just rather not be watching to see that happen again.

I understand what you mean. However, the thought has crossed my mind from time to time that perhaps there is a slight chance that maybe the fascination of something happening is what actually keeps some people watching time after time. It is an unpleasant thought, but very realistic also, I think.

Heard today that apparently the "tear" is on, or has something to do with, the "thermal blanket", which helps the shuttle not to burn up on re-entry. They say they are not going to fix it, that it shouldn't be a problem. I only hope they are right.

The other day, I read that NASA is finally going to retire the shuttles in 2010. They've got some new vehicle in the works that is planned for use in missions to the moon and Mars. I guess the space station up there now will also be retired then, unless they make these new vehicles compatible with it.

The space shuttle is supposed to be launched at around 2:30 a.m. this Tuesday morning, March 10.:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shutt ... index.html

Well, I heard the space shuttle launched off as was expected. This will be the longest mission in quite awhile (I think it is 16 days). I thought it interesting about the canadian robot they have on board. Also, it is supposed to take atleast 3 missions to get all of the Japanese stuff up there. Wow~ .

The space shuttle is back home as of about 7 pm this evening. Glad they made it safely home once again. Unusual for them to do a nighttime take off and then a nighttime landing as well.

Next flight is sometime in May, I think.