Comments on: The Challenge of Space Flight https://gregladen.com/blog/2013/01/28/the-challenge-of-space-flight/ Tue, 29 Jan 2013 14:43:14 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.6 By: Birger Johansson https://gregladen.com/blog/2013/01/28/the-challenge-of-space-flight/#comment-485763 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 14:43:14 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/?p=15592#comment-485763 “There were only ever two ejection seats fitted to the shuttle.”

Which was a major design flaw then and there. Even Gagarin and Glenn had better escape options.
If necessary, design the crew compartment as an integrated escape module*.
* At the orbiter’s center of mass, giving it a chance of ejecting even if the shuttle was rotating wildly after losing a wing.

]]> By: Al https://gregladen.com/blog/2013/01/28/the-challenge-of-space-flight/#comment-485762 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 13:40:04 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/?p=15592#comment-485762 There were only ever two ejection seats fitted to the shuttle.

]]> By: Birger Johansson https://gregladen.com/blog/2013/01/28/the-challenge-of-space-flight/#comment-485761 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 10:20:50 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/?p=15592#comment-485761 The astronauts could have been saved if NASA had retained the ejection seats that were available for the first shuttle launches. The shuttle had not yet gained too much velocity for a successful ejection.
Ironically the space launcher with the best safety record is also the oldest: The venerable R-7 (or “semiyorka) whose different versions have served Russia from Sputnik-1 to the current Soyuz journeys. By contrast, NASA always goes for brand new rockets with all the technological “frills and whistles” the congressmen can get, to favor the aerospace companies in their home states.

]]> By: Greg Laden https://gregladen.com/blog/2013/01/28/the-challenge-of-space-flight/#comment-485760 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 05:23:45 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/?p=15592#comment-485760 In reply to Artor.

I don’t think they drowned, but some may have been conscious for the long fall to the surface of the sea.

]]> By: Artor https://gregladen.com/blog/2013/01/28/the-challenge-of-space-flight/#comment-485759 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 05:09:13 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/?p=15592#comment-485759 Unforunately, I’d read that when they dredged up the wreckage of the Challenger’s cabin, they found that the astronauts had drowned. They lived through the explosion, the fire, the several-mile fall and the impact on the water, andbut drowned when they sank. Yikes!

]]> By: L.Long https://gregladen.com/blog/2013/01/28/the-challenge-of-space-flight/#comment-485758 Mon, 28 Jan 2013 23:47:14 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/?p=15592#comment-485758 With the explosion some near me made the comment that he’d near go one one cuz it is too dangerous! I turned to him and stated that if NASA needs volunteers for the next flight I’m ready to go!! I don’t even have to think about it, I would be happy to go.
But the Danger!!! No more so than driving your car and any accident would be a LOT less painful then a car accident!

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