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Scotty's Final Mission
Posted by
CmdrTaco
on Mon Aug 04, 2008 09:25 AM
from the best-way-to-go dept.
from the best-way-to-go dept.
Jane Q. Public writes "According to Ars Technica, the ashes of James Doohan, who played "Scotty" in the original 'Star Trek' series and several movies, were aboard the SpaceX III launch and were lost when the launch vehicle failed." Which totally wouldn't have happened if Scotty was the engineer.
Update: 08/05 00:09 GMT by KD : BoingBoing has a tribute to Doohan from his son.
Update: 08/05 00:09 GMT by KD : BoingBoing has a tribute to Doohan from his son.
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SpaceX Launch Fails To Reach Space 263 comments
azuredrake and many other readers have written to tell us:
"The New York Times reports that the third SpaceX launch has failed following the second-stage ignition of the Falcon 1 rocket. The SpaceX launch had three satellites on board, all of which were presumably destroyed in the incident. This marks the third failed launch for SpaceX — twice they failed to reach orbit, and once the Falcon 1 rocket was lost five minutes after launch. While the company vows to carry on, this certainly raises some questions about the likelihood of successful privatization of the Space industry."
Reader Nano2Sol points out a video of the launch from a camera on Falcon 1, and notes a small oscillation just prior to the footage being cut off. Spaceflight Now ran a mission update blog leading up to the failure, and they also have more coverage on the loss of the rocket.
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I guess it's true.... (Score:5, Funny)
He really couldn't bend the laws of physics after all =\
Re:I guess it's true.... (Score:5, Funny)
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Re:I guess it's true.... (Score:5, Funny)
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It's worse than that (Score:5, Funny)
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Re:It's worse than that (Score:5, Funny)
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Sooo...? (Score:5, Funny)
Do they get a refund?
That was my first thought when I heard about the ashes.
He warned 'em (Score:5, Funny)
Talk about overkill... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Talk about overkill... (Score:5, Funny)
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Re:Talk about overkill... (Score:5, Funny)
They'd have to be able to get in to orbit first and it would seem that is what is giving them trouble.
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Scotty (Score:5, Funny)
"Scotty! Do! something! Now!"
"He can't."
"Why? Can't? He?"
"He's dead, Jim."
Turning in his Somewhat Charred Grave (Score:5, Informative)
http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/05/10/2249214 [slashdot.org]
Always multiply your estimates by a factor of 4. Seriously, the advice has done me wonders. People really do think that you're a miracle worker.
Re:Turning in his Somewhat Charred Grave (Score:5, Funny)
A good engineer always has a backup. Including of their own ashes.
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Re:Turning in his Somewhat Charred Grave (Score:5, Informative)
Sadly, I think they were recovered [engadget.com]...Which makes this the SECOND time the launch has failed.
Who wants to lay odds on them finding the little charred capsule of ashes and making a third go of it?
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Re:Turning in his Somewhat Charred Grave (Score:5, Informative)
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I wold be honored none the less (Score:5, Interesting)
Sides with any luck some of my ashes will have drifted down and ended up in someone's soup. Eat me!
KHANN!!!!! (Score:5, Funny)
Dammit! (Score:5, Funny)
I'm a engineer, Jim, not a fertilizer!
Rest in Peace, Mr. Doohan (Score:5, Insightful)
In a strange way, I see it as a fitting end to Mr. Doohan's physical form. He inspired countless young people to pursue careers in the sciences, and then, even after leaving this world, continues to inspire.
I know that the body is not the person, and I would like to think that his spirit lives on. At least in this way he can be thought of as being everywhere. Scotty was a fictional character, but through that character James Doohan inspired so many people to believe in themselves.
Rest in Peace, Mr. Doohan. You will be missed, but never forgotten.
1969 called... (Score:5, Funny)
Hey today's space companies, NASA called from 1969 and said you suck!
Gordon "Gordo" Cooper (Score:5, Insightful)
It is absolutely depressing to me that everyone shows some concern over the ashes of an ACTOR, but ignores the fact that a TRUE SPACE HERO (Gordo Cooper), one of the Mercury 7, was onboard. .... yikes.
Re:The captain? (Score:5, Funny)
That's wessel (as in nuclear), you insensitive clod!
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Re:Not enough power (Score:5, Funny)
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Re:Not enough power (Score:5, Funny)
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Re:Old News? (Score:5, Informative)
This is the SECOND time its happened. More like deja vu than old news...Even reality has a dupe now and then.
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