SHUTTLE FLEET GROUNDED

[Bluebear]

AP - 11 minutes ago

SPACE CENTER, Houston - NASA officials said Wednesday they would ground future space shuttle flights because foam debris that brought down Columbia is still a risk. A sizable chunk of foam insulation flew off the shuttle Discovery's fuel tank during liftoff on Tuesday, NASA officials said. They do not believe it hit the orbiter, posing a threat to the seven astronauts when they return to Earth. But they plan a closer inspection of the shuttle to be sure.

http://news.yahoo.com/fc/science/space_shuttle

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Fine time.

[Cannikin]

1. Hard to believe

[SmokingJacket]

2. Why wouldn't they wait until this one comes back?

Seems odd -- will freak people out. Would be less of a big deal once this comes back safely.

Hm.

[Bluebear]

3. Hm indeed. Now every nervous eye will be fixed on this.

Are they telling the astronauts up there or keeping them in the dark? What purpose did this announcement serve while one is still up in the air?

[rsmith6621]

12. What purpose did this announcement serve?????

Another opportunity to steer the attention off of KKRove.

[SoCalDem]

4. They are probably trying to deflect questions about a "rescue" flight

:shrug:

[Jamastiene]

5. I saw a movie once where

the astronauts had to get back without power or something. I think it was Apollo some number. Can't remember. I wish they wouldn't build up the drama quite like this. The families of those astronauts will be too worried. It's not nice to do that to the families...

[DanCa]

6. Gotta use fear to boost rattings for the reentry (nt)

[Bluebear]

7. Wolf will be breathlessly announcing the re-entry

Count on it.

[Warren DeMontague]

8. I don't think the sheeple are terribly interested in space exploration

most of them seem to think the Earth is flat, and have a deep distrust of anything resembling "science". If NASA isn't going to find conclusive evidence of Jesus out there, they could fucking care less.

[DanCa]

9. I agree

But dont they realize that if it wasn't for nasa they wouldn't have pc's and thier internet porn?

[Bluebear]

10. Well thank you NASA!

:)

[BlueStateModerate]

11. Sad, sad

It's time to replace those old space shuttles. It's like driving a '72 pickup around.