Tragedy Week

[Benji]

It's midnight here on the West Coast of the East Coast and that means tragedy week has started.


Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffe died today 37 years ago during AS-204, an Apollo 1 plugs-out test. The Apollo CM at the time was poorly designed and the astronauts knew it, but the risk was accepted. In some ways, it's beneficial that the fire occured on the pad. If it had happened in space, the bodies may have been trapped in orbit forever or burned up in the atmosphere and we may never have known the cause of the accident.

The eventual success of Apollo is a tribute to the dedicated workers and NASA and the NASA contractors who overcame this great setback and managed in just a few years to completely redesign the craft, land men on the Moon and bring them back in good condition, completing Kennedy's ambitious goal.

Ad Astra per Aspera, "To the stars through difficulties" - Motto of Kansas

If we die, do not mourn for us. This is a risky business we're in, and we accept those risks. The space program is too valuable to this country to be halted for too long if a disaster should ever happen. - Gus Grissom

[Benji]

Fire on the pad. Until now, such a thing had been inconceivable...

We found it difficult to say anything at all. Silently, I harbored a sense of disgust at the way they had died. Others had been killed in the program, but they had gone down in airplane crashes, and everyone figured that someday an astronaut might perish in space. It never crossed our mind that we would lose somebody in a spacecraft on the ground. As pilots, we willingly accepted risks, relying on our training and confidence when climbing into a new plane. If I was going to bust my ass on this job, at least I wanted to be flying, not sitting helplessly on the pad, waiting for something to happen!

These three guys didn't even have a chance to light the engines on that monster rocket. Hell, the thing wasn't even fueled. If it had exploded after liftoff, they would still be dead, and it would still have been a tragedy, but somehow more palatable. Gus, Ed, Roger and the rest of us had chosen to become astronauts in order to take our chances going to the Moon, not die sitting on the pad.

[Benji]

Spirited Salute to Fallen Apollo 1 Crew

[Benji]

Challenger, OV-99, was destroyed 73-seconds after liftoff this morning 18 years ago.

Crew:

• Francis R. Scobee (2), Commander
  Michael J. Smith (1), Pilot
  Judith A. Resnik (2), Mission Specialist 1
  Ellison S. Onizuka (2), Mission Specialist 2
  Ronald E. McNair (2), Mission Specialist 3
  Gregory B. Jarvis (1), Payload Specialist 1
  Sharon Christa McAuliffe (1), Payload Specialist 2 (TISP)

Planned objectives were deployment of Tracking Data Relay Satellite-2 (TDRS-2) and flying of Shuttle-Pointed Tool for Astronomy (SPARTAN-203)/Halley's Comet Experiment Deployable, a free-flying module designed to observe tail and coma of Halley's comet with two ultraviolet spectrometers and two cameras. Other payloads were Fluid Dynamics Experiment (FDE); Comet Halley Active Monitoring Program (CHAMP); Phase Partitioning Experiment (PPE); three Shuttle Student Involvement Program (SSIP) experiments; and set of lessons for Teacher in Space Project (TISP).

[The crew of Challenger was] daring and brave, and they had that special grace, that special spirit that says, 'Give me a challenge and I'll meet it with joy.' They had a hunger to explore the universe and discover its truths. They wished to serve, and they did. They served all of us...

We've grown used to wonders in this century. It's hard to dazzle us. But for twenty-five years the United States space program has been doing just that. We've grown used to the idea of space, and perhaps we forget that we've only just begun. We're still pioneers. They, the members of the Challenger crew, were pioneers...

The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave. The Challenger crew was pulling us into the future, and we'll continue to follow them...

[Benji]

OV-99, Challenger
10 flights
987 orbits
69 days in space

Highlights:
-STS-6

• Launched TDRS-1
  First Shuttle program spacewalk by Peterson and Musgrave
  First use of lightweight ET and SRB casings

-STS-7

• First US Woman in space, Sally Ride

-STS-8

• First black person in space, Guy Bluford

-STS-41B

• First untethered spacewalks, McCandless and Stewart, used MMU
  
  Photo of Bruce McCandless II taken by Hoot Gibson

-STS-41C

• First Shuttle direct ascent trajectory
  IMAX camera onboard

-STS-41G

• First flight to include two women, Ride and Sullivan.
  Sullivan first American woman to walk in space.
  Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (ERBS) deployed less than nine hours into flight.
  IMAX camera flown for third time.

-STS-51B

• Spacelab-3
  First crosswind landing

-STS-51F
-STS-61A
-STS-51L

• Liftoff of TDRS-B
  First in-flight loss of crew
  First liftoff from pad B
  First teacher to fly on the Space Shuttle

[Benji]

Space Shuttle Challenger Crew Memorialized on Mars

NASA announced plans to name the landing site of the Mars
Opportunity rover in honor of the Space Shuttle Challenger's
final crew. The area in the vast flatland called Meridiani
Planum, where Opportunity landed this weekend, will be called
the Challenger Memorial Station.

NASA selected Meridiani Planum because of extensive deposits of
a mineral called crystalline hematite, which usually forms in
the presence of liquid water. Scientists had hoped for a
specific landing site where they could examine both the surface
layer that's rich in hematite and an underlying geological
feature of light-colored layered rock. The small crater in
which Opportunity alighted appears to have exposures of both,
with soil that could be the hematite unit and an exposed
outcropping of the lighter rock layer.

A composite image depicting the location of the Challenger
Memorial Station can be found on the Web at:
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/mer2004/rover-i ... age-1.html

NASA

[Benji]

Space.com: NASA Sets Aside Day to Honor Astronauts

[Benji]

It was a fabulous launch. Ilan Ramon became the first Israeli to fly in space.



“It [space] was just so incredibly adventurous and exciting to me. I just thought there was no doubt in my mind that is what I want to do when I grow up.” Rick Husband before his first flight. Houston Chronicle, 2-2-03

“Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve known this was what I wanted to do. I was probably 4 or 5 years old.” Michael Anderson said during a preflight interview. Houston Chronicle, 2-2-03



“I remember growing up and thinking astronauts and their jobs were the coolest things you could possibly do. But I absolutely couldn’t identify with people who were astronauts. I thought they were movie stars. I thought I was kind of a normal kid.” David Brown during preflight interview. Houston Chronicle, 2-2-03

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified. Do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Command Rick Husband reading from the book of Joshua the night before launch. Houston Chronicle, 2-5-03



The mission was a fantastic success. But during launch, some foam from the ET struck the RCC panel. The photo working group at KSC saw this, but attempts to get more data were blocked. Similar debris had fell on previous missions and managers wanted the group to prove that Columbia was not safe, opposite of proper procedures.

Seven crewmembers and the first orbiter to fly in space were lost in the southern skies. NASA's organizational culture failed them.

Rick D. Husband (2), Commander
William C. McCool (1), Pilot
Michael P. Anderson (2), Payload Commander
Kalpana Chawla (2), Mission Specialist
David M. Brown (1), Mission Specialist
Laurel B. Clark (1), Mission Specialist
Ilan Ramon (1), (ISA) Payload Specialist



NASA has a great STS-107 site located at http://www.nasa.gov/columbia/home/index.html.

“Hello from above our magnificent planet Earth. The perspective is truly awe-inspiring….I have seen some incredible sights: lightning spreading over the Pacific, the Aurora Australis lighting up the entire visible horizon…the crescent moon setting over the limb of Earth… Every orbit we go over a slightly different part of the Earth… Whenever I do get to look out, it is glorious. Even the stars have a special brightness. I’ve seen my ‘friend’ Orion several times. … I feel blessed to be here representing our country and carrying out the research of scientists around the world. …Thanks to many of you who have supported me and my adventures throughout the years. This was definitely one to beat all. I hope you could feel the positive energy that beamed to the whole planet as we glided over our shared planet. Love to all, Laurel.” Mission Specialist Laurel Clark e-mail to family and friends during STS-107. Houston Chronicle, 2-6-03

“Life continues in a lot of places, and life is a magical thing.” Laurel Clark on seeing life emerge from a cocoon in space. In Bush’s speech, 2-4-03.

“Dave was really looking [forward] to coming back to Earth and particularly going to schools and talking to kids about that, and telling them to pursue their dreams and support things built around dreams.” Cliff Gauthier, Dave Brown’s coach and friend. Houston Chronicle, 2-2-03

“If this thing doesn’t come out right, don’t worry about me, I’m just going on higher.” Mission Specialist Michael Anderson to his pastor before STS-107. In Bush’s speech, 2-4-03

“On January 16th, we saw our loved ones launch into a brilliant, cloud-free sky. Their hearts were full of enthusiasm, pride in country, faith in their God and a willingness to accept risk in the pursuit of knowledge - knowledge that they might improve the quality of life for all mankind… Although we grieve deeply, as do the families of Apollo 1 and Challenger before us, the bold exploration of space must go on. Once the root cause of this tragedy is found and corrected, the legacy of Columbia must carry on for the benefit of our children and yours.” -A statement from the Astronaut Families. Houston Chronicle, 2-4-03

[Benji]

Reading many of the memorial pages dedicated to the three crews that perished in this season, I was saddened by the loss of these 17 brave space farers. I'll admit that I did shed a few tears over this deprivation, quite a large loss for the scientific and aerospace community.

As has been repeated a hundred times, these men and women of many nations, religions, races, and scientific background worked together in the pursuit of human knowledge. They accepted the risk and ended up losing their lives, but the space program must go on. Regardless of what direction the President, Congress, and NASA's administrators lead, we must follow and apply ourselves wholeheartedly in memory of those who perished, fulfilling the work they were unable to accomplish.

These setbacks, though great, should not impede NASA's mission of improving life on Earth and exploring the cosmos. A tragedy on this scale would dishonor those who gave their lives for what they believed in. It would mean their sacrifice would be in vain.

As Ronald Regan said, the future does not belong to the faint of heart, it belongs to the brave. Space farers of all nations, along with the help of those on the ground and the support of their families and countries, continue to pull us into the future. They are tough and competent. Their service benefits the entire world and is greatly appreciated.

Per ardua ad astra. Through the struggle to the stars.

[Benji]

It's that time of year again. Hard to believe it has been two years since we lost Columbia and her last crew. We are down to three flying shuttles. Maybe flying isn't the correct word since it has been so long since the last flight and will be several more months till the next. We must forge ahead and leave the cradle of the Earth. Dare I say, it is our manifest destiny to colonize and settle beyond our home planet.

[shenandoah04]

The last time I saw Columbia was the Monday before February 1, 2003. I was late for a Literary Magazine meeting, and there was no way I was going to get there on time. It takes about 30 minutes to get across town, which is ridiculously slow, considering that in that time, the orbiter can traverse a third of the Earth. Our neighbors were outside, and being as late as it was, we knew that they were out for something space-related. I didn't really feel like stopping because I was already late, but when my mom and I called over to them to ask what they were going to see, they said Columbia.
Something compelled us to stay. For some reason, I wasn't panicked about being late anymore, and we watched Columbia float across the sky for about 10 minutes. This was the last time I saw her. That Saturday morning, those same neighbors called to give us the news.
The astronauts on that crew were truly amazing people. I am so grateful to have been able to see them on their last flight. I later found out that Laurel Clark thought of the constellation Orion as a friend, much like I do. I learned about Rich Husband's deep-rooted faith, and Ilan Ramon's step into the history books-I regreted not knowing beforehand that he was the first Israeli astronaut, and that he had been up there that Monday evening...Brown, Anderson, Chawla and McCool's stories surfaced as well, and my awe for astronauts and the inspiration that I find in them overcame me completely.
I hope that when we send people into space again, it does not become routine. To leave the boundaries of this Earth is never routine, no matter how many times we go, or with what frequency. The astronauts that live each day for it- and some who die for it- realize this. They go as explorers, adventurers, pioneers who will never be forgotten and will not die in vain.

I wrote this shortly after that day two years ago. And it still holds true, and it always will.

~In memory~