[sdiy] (OT) Columbia

[Tim Ressel]

To all,

Of course we are all saddened by the Columbia breakup.
Perhaps we on the list feel it a bit more than most,
having a notion of what it takes to make something
that complicated and hold it together for 20+ years. 

The level of technology in the space shuttle is
staggering. Pumps that take cryo liquids and raise
them to 7,000 PSI, hugh engines that are throttable
and gimbled AND reusable, sensors for EVERYTHING on
the craft... heck, the wheels alone probably have more
electronics than my whole synth has. Did you know they
spin the wheels up before landing to reduce wear? 

You take the cost and effort of all that tech, then
add in politics: fat senators demanding schedules to
make them look good. I just hope it doen't come down
to something that some poor engineer pointed out but
was shouted down. That's kinda what happened with the
Challenger. The engineers knew better, and said so.
But management buckled to pressure. I'm not blaming
the engineers. I feel for them. I'd hate to be in that
position.

So here's to fallen heros, and the guys in the white
hard hats who have to somehow go on.

--Tim

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