Comments on: Explosive Spacewalk?

By: RobertB

RobertB — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:49:45 +0000

My favorite part of the story is that it was released just in time for Independence Day in the US. For those outside the US: we typically celebrate the holiday by blowing things up with small explosives (like the M-80 mentioned). Favorite items to blow up here in Texas: empty beer cans, fire ant mounds, and sometimes, unfortunately, our own fingers. Fortunately, Mission Control (in Houston, of course) can probably find some local three-fingered consultants in case there are any questions.

By: Maxwell

Maxwell — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 13:55:15 +0000

I'm sure they'll be cautious.
My question would be if this is a worth while risk for what seems to be something that could be tested on the surface.

Unless I've misread something, Why not just pop a bolt off a Soyuz on the assembly line then stick it in an oven or vacuum chamber to sort out whats wrong?

Normally stories about malfunctioning explosive devices end with "we blew it up in the parking lot, just to be safe".
Not "we brought it inside the house to study".

By: James

James — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 20:12:48 +0000

I think they'll handle it with the care and caution necessary, and everything will turn out fine.

By: Ayti

Ayti — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 04:15:14 +0000

Jon Hanford

You'd do well to carefully read all of my post above and find that I was in fact pointing out the exact discrepancy you are. Ms Atkinson was acknowledging the error.

By: Jon Hanford

Jon Hanford — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 02:30:48 +0000

After reading James Oberg's article at the MSNBC site, the bolts to be checked are clearly denoted as those between the Soyuz crew module ant the propulsion module, not the Soyuz and the ISS. I suggest Ayti & Atkinson carefully read this article give readers correct info. The supplied diagram is in fact correct. From earlier reports this crew-propulsion module separation was the source of the problem. These two pieces of equipment separate only after Soyuz undocks from the ISS and maneuvers itself in preparation for re-entry. I do agree with Maxwell, this procedure sounds exceedingly risky( one only need remember problems with 'flaming oxygen cannisters' from previous missions).

By: Maxwell

Maxwell — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 01:40:12 +0000

Why does this sound like a really bad idea?

Its tricky enough to remove a piece of explosive from a spaceship (in space, no less) but to bring the device aboard, with changes in temperature and god knows what else making it less stable….
the risk to life and risk to the station….

What are they looking for that cant be researched on the ground?

By: Nancy Atkinson

Nancy Atkinson — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:27:17 +0000

Ayti-
You are right, and I was wrong. Info in the article has been corrected.
Thanks.

By: Ayti

Ayti — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:29:16 +0000

OK, The bolts secure the Soyuz to ISS but the graphic posted with the story shows the bolt holding the capsule to it's propulsion module. It appears the references to the connection between Soyuz and ISS should be revised or deleted.