Columbia's near-miss: Why we should always expect the unexpected in space
On July 23, 1999, NASA's Space Shuttle Columbia launched the Chandra X-ray Observatory despite significant technical issues, highlighting the complexities and risks of spaceflight and the need for vigilance in missions.
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On July 23, 1999, NASA's Space Shuttle Columbia launched the Chandra X-ray Observatory, facing significant technical issues that nearly led to disaster. The launch followed two previous scrubs due to a faulty sensor and bad weather. Unbeknownst to the crew and flight controllers, Columbia had several flaws, including a chafed wire, a loose gold-plated pin in a Liquid Oxygen (LOX) post, and a pressure bias in the main engine. During ascent, the pin shot out, risking a catastrophic failure of the LOX post, which could have led to an explosion. Fortunately, only three cooling tubes in the nozzle extension were breached, causing a hydrogen leak but not a total failure.
The flight team was preoccupied with alarms from a loose hydraulic connection on the solid rocket booster, delaying their response to the engine issues. A short circuit caused a false alarm regarding a fuel cell failure, but the actual problem was a loss of power to the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) controllers. Despite these complications, the B computer took over control, allowing the mission to continue successfully. The mission concluded with the deployment of the Chandra observatory, although the issues highlighted the complexities and risks of spaceflight. NASA later identified the wiring problem as likely due to worker error and noted that the pin had not passed acceptance testing. The incident underscored the importance of vigilance and preparedness for unexpected failures in space missions.
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- Several commenters highlight the technical challenges and unexpected issues faced during the mission, emphasizing the need for preparedness.
- There is a discussion about the longevity and future of the Chandra X-ray Observatory, with concerns about budgetary pressures potentially affecting its operation.
- Commenters express admiration for the engineering and operational achievements of NASA, particularly in light of past successful missions.
- Some comments reference the unpredictability of space exploration, invoking Murphy's Law and the necessity of expecting the unexpected.
- There is a shared appreciation for the historical context of the mission and respect for the astronauts and engineers involved.
11 commentsIn contrast a spacecraft like the shuttle, faces much harsher conditions and, as not many of these were built, I expect more manual procedures and tinkering while building the thing.
In the end, it's incredible these things didn't crash more often.
Everyone prepares for complete engine failure, but no one expects and electrical fire in the office
To have several "balancing" failures occur at the same time would be so unlikely as to be ascribed to some synchronicity rather than real life.
Is that feet per second?
Makes STS-1 even more impressive. Huge respect for John Young and Bob Crippen.
Which got my thinking and Ducking, and yes, in 2014 ISS got a 3D printer.
https://www.nasa.gov/missions/station/3-d-printer-powered-up...
Regarding some comments on "average", "male", "34", well they ain't the average dude, they are models T101 in the flesh (to begin with, and then they get extra training).
But man.. I misplace a screwdriver and I stress..
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