Comments on: Launchpad Damage Threatens Future Missions

By: Chuck Lam

Chuck Lam — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:16:46 +0000

A bit of sentence correction to the above. Should read "they then are able to flood the underside'" Didn't have the second coffee yet.

By: Chuck Lam

Chuck Lam — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:14:02 +0000

Hey! Everyone slow down. The fix is simple! NASA needs to hire an ocean going ship builder capable of forming and submerge-arc welding two or three inch thick cor-ten steel plates into an overlay. If the overlay is proped up a couple inches, they then able flood the underside with plain water coolant. Oop! I forgot for a moment. We're talking about NASA thinking in simple terms. Sorry guys. Didn't mean to waste your time.

By: Aodhhan

Aodhhan — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 12:35:30 +0000

It would take a lot of time and fuel to change orbits after launching from Vandenberg; since you couldn't launch anywhere close to 45-55 degrees (well, at least without a lot of politicians getting involved). I can't see it being used any time soon.

By: Astrofiend

Astrofiend — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 23:52:06 +0000

Just launch the damn thing anyway! Hubble needs its TLC!

By: Sili

Sili — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:09:33 +0000

Thank you, Mike.

The 'problem' forums like this is that it's so much easier to just throw questions out there rather than research them oneself.

Pity. I really really hope Hubble will get serviced.

By: Mike G.

Mike G. — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:27:17 +0000

Sili – they were building a backup at Vandenburg in California. But according to Wikipedia, it wasn't finished when the Challenger disaster happened, and was never completed.

Besides, Vandenburg was intended for polar launches – I don't think the eastern neighbours would be happy having 2 SRBs drop on their heads in an eastern launch…

Besides, Vandenburg is farther north than KSC, so I don't know if the shuttle could make it from there to the Hubble or not.

By: Sili

Sili — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:28:39 +0000

I know you say there can't be a permanent switch to platform B, but wouldn't it make sense to do that, and then make the modifications to platform A while that's being repaired anyway?

As for the backup shuttle for the Hubble mission – isn't there something about there actually being an extra launch platform at another airforce base? It's just never been used.

By: greg c

greg c — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:42:40 +0000

june 11th, 7:58am. redzenman is already royally pissed. s'gonna be a tough day for him or her.

interesting article, Nancy. thanks.

By: redzenman

redzenman — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:58:37 +0000

Another example of the creeping meatballism that is the result of the idiots we vote into positions of power.

What's wrong with you people. Highways, bridges, launch pads, etc are supposed to last forever.

Maintenance? What's that. Remember, you voted for the assholes that have better things to do with your money.