Random Ramblings

Space Shuttle is Aloft Again ...
... and a piece of foam insulation breaks off again

So NASA finally launched the Space Shuttle Discovery again, the first launch since the 2003 Columbia disaster, and following several days of delay for a faulty fuel gauge ... and the video footage shows ANOTHER piece of foam insulation breaking away during lift-off. Luckily, this one didn't seem to hit the craft (as happened with the Columbia). Until things are sorted out, NASA has again grounded the Shuttle fleet.

It's a good time to remember the danger that still surrounds space flight and the courage of the men and women who are flying in our Space Shuttles. Recent memories of the Columbia, and Challenger, don't even tell the whole story. Apollo 1 was destroyed on the launch pad. Several Soviet cosmonauts also were lost on various Soyez missions:

http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/history/q0114.shtml

Humans weren't really made to live in space ... maybe that's why we have such a drive to go there!

Say a few prayers for the safe return of our astronauts!!