- Uncategorized
Welcome home Atlantis!
The landing 48 minutes before sunrise was a day later than planned because NASA ordered up more inspections of the spacecraft’s delicate skin to make sure it was safe to come home. The fear was that a mysterious piece of debris spotted floating nearby on Tuesday might have hit the spacecraft. Astronauts later saw other debris.
“We’ve seen a new standard in NASA vigilance,” said shuttle program manager Wayne Hale.
I for one like that they’re able to check and re-check the heat shield in flight, and so far that’s obviously worked out very well. I’m glad the crew’s home safe and sound.
Discussion of Atlantis touches down, safe and sound is now closed
Jared, is it possible the “mysterious objects” were the several nuts and bolts they accidentaly let slip away during work on the space station? Some of MY projects result in leftover parts. Hmmm. Not too good!
Spare nuts and bolts. It seems almost impossible, but there have been quite a few projects where I ran out of nuts/bolts/screws whilst putting something back together.
I would have to imagine the “objects” were either shrapnel from other satellites that get pummelled by chunks of rocks, chunks of rocks, or possibly…something we weren’t supposed to see and couldn’t even begin to comprehend. ::rubs chin:: Hmm…