ajm51987

Well for those of you who don't follow the space program they had to cancel the launch of the Shuttle Endouver (sp?) tonight (friday) because it was raining in Spain, which is where the shuttle would land in case of an emergency early in the launch. Anyway why the heck does it matter if its raining when they land, lighting? Or something else im missing?

Thanks,

-AJM

sakrilege

Visibility, winds, damage to the shuttle from traveling thru the rain at high speeds. They can't land in Florida if it is raining there on a normal landing and have to land at Edwards AFB. Then spend money flying the shuttle back to Florida.

fando

Also, consider that the shuttle is a glorified glider. You'd bet they'd be damn sure that the landing options were optimal for a controlled glide.

enigma555

Yeh, a glorified glider, and a crappy one at that. I've heard that the shuttle is probably one of the most difficult thing to fly on the face of the planet. That one hasn't crashed on landing amazes me.

ajm51987

Ahh diden't know about the glider bit, although that does make sense.

-AJM

thebeave

For one thing, the heat tiles for the shuttle are rather fragile. The company I used to work for made them and I "fondled" one once or twice myself. They feel about as heavy and durable as a piece of styrofoam from a dime store ice chest. Really amazing stuff. They have great thermal properties, but their mechanical properties leave much to be desired. Think about how much punishment those tiles are getting when the shuttle is coming in at high speeds and being pelted by severe rain.