Shuttle Mission Under Way

TOTKChief writes "Normally, a Shuttle launch isn't all that interesting, right? Well, the STS-106 (ISS 2A.2b) mission was interesting because it used a very small launch window in order to save fuel, which is a good thing. SpaceRef has good coverage of STS-106 up and running, including some of the on-board science -- most notably a neat protein crystal growth experiment that was worked on by a good friend of mine. NASA needs to get cracking, though, because an ambitious launch schedule awaits."

why

[AbbyNormal]

don't they use a small "Launch linux" instead? Would prevent crashing entirely!

Houston, we have LIFT OFF!!

[spineboy]

Sucessful launch...YEAH BABY!! click here Nasa shuttle site [nasa.gov]

Number 99

[heliocentric]

As I recall this was the 99th shuttle launch. Given the previous catastrophe this'd make it about a 1% chance of horror for a shuttle launch (not including weather statistics, etc...) so at what point does this factor into fuel savingins vs. lives?

If you drove a car to work and back that had a history of blowing up 1% of use, that'd mean you were at risk of death once a year (52 weeks, trip to and from work...) would you take a root that saved on gas, or a safer root????

Re:why

[j_d]

illiad, is that you?

Huh?

[AndyL]

Why didn't this show up on the main page?

Is there some special "Space Exploration" part of Slashdot that I'm missing?

Re:why

[Vrin Drakus]

Very wise AbbyNormal ;)

~ Vrin Drakus
[e-mail]

Re:Number 99

[TOTKChief]

Considering that the predicted major failure rate was 2% from initial design, do you wonder why I cringe every time an STS launches? I just know it will blow up and my job goes kablooey with it. =) GFM
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Re:Huh?

[TOTKChief]

You got me. I thought it was pretty cool. Cool enough to get posted, but not cool enough for main page. -shrug-
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First thing to be installed...

[mduell]

I was just listening to MSNBC on cable and they said that the first thing they would install on the ISS would be a toilet. Hrm...

Mark Duell

Re:First thing to be installed...

[TOTKChief]

I was just listening to MSNBC on cable and they said that the first thing they would install on the ISS would be a toilet. Hrm...

Actually, it's likely that it's a short-term solution. To be flat-out honest, they haven't designed it all yet. There was a contract to be awarded called IVEST (IntraVehicular Equipment, Services, and Training, IIRC) that was to build toilets, showers, etc. I know that because our company was bidding on it and my best friend tried to suck me in to writing the proposal. =) But NASA came back last week and said, "We don't have the money right now, let's hold off." Not surprised -- this thing ain't going up in a fully-usable mode for two-three years.

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Re:Huh?

[The Musician]

It was posted under the "Science" section.

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