Comments on: Atlantis to launch Saturday afternoon http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/07/atlantis-to-launch-staurday-afternoon/ I am an astronomer, writer, and skeptic. I likes reality the way it is, and I aims to keep it that way. My real name is Phil Plait, and I run the Bad Astronomy blog. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:45:12 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Michael Lonergan http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/07/atlantis-to-launch-staurday-afternoon/comment-page-1/#comment-58677 Michael Lonergan Mon, 10 Dec 2007 16:14:31 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/07/atlantis-to-launch-staurday-afternoon/#comment-58677 Delayed til Stanuary Delayed til Stanuary

]]> By: Michael Lonergan http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/07/atlantis-to-launch-staurday-afternoon/comment-page-1/#comment-58676 Michael Lonergan Sun, 09 Dec 2007 16:37:25 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/07/atlantis-to-launch-staurday-afternoon/#comment-58676 To Michelle: Yes, January 2. NASA wants to try and figure out the fuel sensor problem. To Michelle: Yes, January 2. NASA wants to try and figure out the fuel sensor problem.

]]> By: David Roberts http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/07/atlantis-to-launch-staurday-afternoon/comment-page-1/#comment-58675 David Roberts Sun, 09 Dec 2007 16:24:56 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/07/atlantis-to-launch-staurday-afternoon/#comment-58675 I'm sooooo confused. (but that happens alot) I’m sooooo confused. (but that happens alot)

]]> By: Michelle http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/07/atlantis-to-launch-staurday-afternoon/comment-page-1/#comment-58674 Michelle Sun, 09 Dec 2007 15:34:27 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/07/atlantis-to-launch-staurday-afternoon/#comment-58674 I just read on my Wii (Yes, my Wii. ) that the shuttle launch has been scrubbed until January. S'that true? I just read on my Wii (Yes, my Wii. ) that the shuttle launch has been scrubbed until January. S’that true?

]]> By: Michael Lonergan http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/07/atlantis-to-launch-staurday-afternoon/comment-page-1/#comment-58673 Michael Lonergan Sun, 09 Dec 2007 15:23:47 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/07/atlantis-to-launch-staurday-afternoon/#comment-58673 Not to harp on this, as I'm sure it's been debated before, but the inherent problems in the Shuttle date back to the early '70's when this design was given the go-ahead. It's sad to think about where the Space Program could have been today if things had been different. With all of these delays, are we going to see a return to launch fever as the 2010 deadline approaches for the retirement of the Shuttle? Not to harp on this, as I’m sure it’s been debated before, but the inherent problems in the Shuttle date back to the early ’70’s when this design was given the go-ahead. It’s sad to think about where the Space Program could have been today if things had been different.

With all of these delays, are we going to see a return to launch fever as the 2010 deadline approaches for the retirement of the Shuttle?

]]> By: Sergeant Zim http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/07/atlantis-to-launch-staurday-afternoon/comment-page-1/#comment-58672 Sergeant Zim Sun, 09 Dec 2007 15:03:07 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/07/atlantis-to-launch-staurday-afternoon/#comment-58672 NASA announced that the launch has been postponed until January 2 at the earliest. It seems that one of the sensors failed during today's fueling, and they decided to not push the issue, take Atlantis back to the VAB, and WORK THE PROBLEM. When NASA is allowed to function the way it is supposed to, without politics, amazing things get done (Galelio, Cassini, Spirit, Opportunity, Voyager 1&2, etc.). From what I've seen, at least 3/4 of 'go-fever' is attributable to politicians, accountants, and others pushing for launch, instead of allowing the scientists and engineers to run the show. This is one case where you can accurately say, HEY, THIS IS ROCKET SCIENCE! NASA announced that the launch has been postponed until January 2 at the earliest. It seems that one of the sensors failed during today’s fueling, and they decided to not push the issue, take Atlantis back to the VAB, and WORK THE PROBLEM.

When NASA is allowed to function the way it is supposed to, without politics, amazing things get done (Galelio, Cassini, Spirit, Opportunity, Voyager 1&2, etc.). From what I’ve seen, at least 3/4 of ‘go-fever’ is attributable to politicians, accountants, and others pushing for launch, instead of allowing the scientists and engineers to run the show. This is one case where you can accurately say, HEY, THIS IS ROCKET SCIENCE!

]]> By: Remek http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/07/atlantis-to-launch-staurday-afternoon/comment-page-1/#comment-58671 Remek Sun, 09 Dec 2007 14:32:52 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/07/atlantis-to-launch-staurday-afternoon/#comment-58671 Scrub again. (LH2 ECO #3 failed this time) Look for a rollback to the VAB later this week and a new launch date sometime after Jan. 2nd, depending on how much hardware they need to test through and replace. (Next year's flight schedule is still good if they launch before late-January.) Scrub again. (LH2 ECO #3 failed this time)

Look for a rollback to the VAB later this week and a new launch date sometime after Jan. 2nd, depending on how much hardware they need to test through and replace.

(Next year’s flight schedule is still good if they launch before late-January.)

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