From: natashavita@earthlink.net
Date: Sat Feb 01 2003 - 19:52:31 MST
When I took a Space Camp astronauts training at Tranquility Base at the US
Space and Rocket Center, I was assigned 2 missions. One was to work as a
scientist building a hologram and the other was to act as a flight
director.
On one of these simulated missions, I met a person who designs the
protective thermal tiles for shuttles. He explained how very necessary it
is to have just the right temperature and control factor in the pressure
and expansion in dealing with heat and stress. He was very excited about
new materials and annoyed that the funding was so little for such an
expansive human quest. This was 15 years ago and I am very saddened that a
more durable and flexible material had not been engineered for the outer
protection of the shuttles.
Like everyone on the list, I am very sad.
Natasha
"Columbia's 16-day mission featured more than 80 experiments ranging from
the effects of space travel on astronauts to the possibility of creating a
new perfume.
"The folks on the ground were just ecstatic with the amount of science that
they were reaping," said Ron Dittemore, space shuttle program manager.
'Some of it was will be their legacy.'"
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