CAMP DAVID, Md. -- President George W. Bush's remarks Saturday on the space shuttle Columbia, as provided by the White House:

My fellow Americans, this day has brought terrible news and great sadness to our country. At 9:00 a.m. this morning, Mission Control in Houston lost contact with our space shuttle Columbia. A short time later, debris was seen falling from the skies above Texas. The Columbia is lost; there are no survivors.

On board was a crew of seven: Colonel Rick Husband, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Anderson, Commander Laurel Clark, Captain David Brown; Commander William McCool, Doctor Kalpana Chawla and Ilan Ramon, a colonel in the Israeli Air Force. These men and women assumed great risk in the service to all humanity.

In an age when space flight has come to seem almost routine, it is easy to overlook the dangers of travel by rocket, and the difficulties of navigating the fierce outer atmosphere of the Earth. These astronauts knew the dangers, and they faced them willingly, knowing they had a high and noble purpose in life. Because of their courage and daring and idealism, we will miss them all the more.

All Americans today are thinking, as well, of the families of these men and women who have been given this sudden shock and grief. You're not alone. Our entire nation grieves with you. And those you loved will always have the respect and gratitude of this country.

The cause in which they died will continue. Mankind is led into the darkness beyond our world by the inspiration of discovery and the longing to understand. Our journey into space will go on.

In the skies today we saw destruction and tragedy. Yet farther than we can see there is comfort and hope. In the words of the prophet Isaiah, "Lift your eyes and look to the heavens. Who created all these? He who brings out the starry hosts one by one and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing."

The same creator who names the stars also knows the names of the seven souls we mourn today. The crew of the shuttle Columbia did not return safely to Earth; yet we can pray that all are safely home.

May God bless the grieving families, and may God continue to bless America.

 

I was flying down to Hutch today and didn't know about the shuttle until after I landed. Paid for my gas bill and they had a TV there.

Damn.

I didn't have time for much since I was headed for Gainesville TX. Talking to Flight Service they advised me to moniter the emergency channel in case airspace was closed do to falling debris or other happenings. That, had my attention.

Finally got home around 6:30 and was able to catch up on the news. It hadn't improved from this morning.

My heart aches for the families and for America.

 

Would like to clarify my earlier post -
I am not "anti"-exploration, by any measure - I just whole-heartedly believe that these (and other TREMENDOUS "business' of enterprise") - certainly, and especially of this enormous magnitude - need be much, much, much more calculated.

113 Space-Shuttle missions - 2 disasters - 1 in 56.5 odds of human beings, flesh and blood and bone people, like you and me, not "making it" back - so far.

Not bad odds in a $5.00, $50, $500 or even a $5000 bet - but not when you're talking about, I don't know, what hundreds of millions of dollar's? - A Billion or more, from start to finish of one, NOW TWO, that don't "make it".

The cost to the families, especially the children, is IMMEASURABLE.
I mourn for those young kids, they can NEVER be indemnified - never be made "whole"

JFK said he wanted to put a man on the moon - what most folks don't recall is he followed immediately by saying "and returning him SAFELY to earth".

GODSPEED in the investigation.

Glenn ...

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by TOUGHLover
[B]Would like to clarify my earlier post -
I am not "anti"-exploration, by any measure - I just whole-heartedly believe that these (and other TREMENDOUS "business' of enterprise") - certainly, and especially of this enormous magnitude - need be much, much, much more calculated.

113 Space-Shuttle missions - 2 disasters - 1 in 56.5 odds of human beings, flesh and blood and bone people, like you and me, not "making it" back - so far.

Not bad odds in a $5.00, $50, $500 or even a $5000 bet - but not when you're talking about, I don't know, what hundreds of millions of dollar's? - A Billion or more, from start to finish of one, NOW TWO, that don't "make it".

The cost to the families, especially the children, is IMMEASURABLE.
I mourn for those young kids, they can NEVER be indemnified - never be made "whole"

---You are looking at this from the wrong angle. Look at what space exploration has done for the world, GPS, Kevlar, Velcro, etc, etc,etc,. Yes, it was a horrible end for the crew. Yes it was an expensive mistake. But you cannot retreat and stop the search for knowledge. Yes, they will ground the fleet and do $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ in research and retro fitting of the existing aircraft. But, we will learn from our mistakes and continue on. Most great achievments are the result of mistakes learned. I know I do that every day. I am prepared to pay they price.

I'd jump on that rocket tomorrow and say "Let's light this candle now!" If more could be gained that benefits us all. Didn't say I wouldn't be scared. I'd just wear a good diaper.

 

I also thought of this. I don't remember when it happened since I was only 3 1/2 years old, though. One of the crewmembers from the Challanger, Gregory Jarvis, was a native of Mohawk, NY which is a small town east of Utica. After the explosion, they renamed Mohawk High School in his honor.

Dan is right, we have benefited in many ways from the space program. It's too bad such tragedies happen.

May God Bless the souls of the crewmembers and their families.

 

Glenn,
you owe it to yourself...read the book "Blind Man's Bluff - The Untold Story of American Submarine Espionage." A very good read!. It smacks at some of the general contentions you make here.
I believe we are best served by a relentless pursuit to conquer - not people and nations, but places and things. Heck, somebody had to first mount a horse and tame it. I'd hate to think where we'd be if the folks watching that first attempt saw a guy get bucked off and decided conquering horses was not worth the risk.
It is a simple fact that humans will die in all manner of pursuits. The same day (today) Columbia failed on reentry and 7 people died, 2 trains hit head on in Zimbabwe and 40 people died. The 7 are heros, the 40 are just dead people. To any who would call for ending our Shuttle program because of what happened today, I'd say they would be paying the ultimate insult to those who died. Those 7 knew the risks and thought the rewards made the risk worthwhile. To halt the program would be to say - in essence - the rewards are NOT worth the risks.
Glenn, I know you well enought to know this is NOT what you are saying, but I'm guessing there are some who will -and I'm afraid some will be elected leaders (Senators and/or Representatives)
I recall Farrugut in the battle of Mobile Bay..."Damn the torpedos. Full Speed Ahead".
I don't call for reckless abandon and turing a blind eye here. As I heard it said on the news today..."We will find out what was wrong, fix it, and go forward."
I like that.
I'm not sure if "hero" is the right term for those 7 who died. For me personally, it is more a matter of tremendous respect and admiration. They did something that billions and billions of other humans have never done...
"Slipped the surly bonds of Earth".

My hat's off to them.

Brian A

 

Today will Again go down in history with many, many tears from those of us old enough to remember Watching Challenger explode in 1986 and the ensuing tragedy.

So many of you "youngsters" (No offense intended) will never know the excitement of cherishing the memories of the "Space Race".

Many here, including myself, remember watching John Glenn, in Friendship 7 circle the Earth, the 1st Moon Walk, "One Small Step for Man, One Giant Step For Mankind".

Today, I Cried Outloud again, for the families of these new Heroes. They Lived to experience the Ultimate Challenge (FOR US) ...and risked, the Ultimate Sacrifice (FOR US). We can ask no more from Today's Heroes. They engraved a permanent place in history with their Courage & Sacrifice.

As for those of you, who denounce or deny credibility for these ASTRONAUTS attaining HERO Status.....

To HELL With Your IGNORANCE & INDIFFERENCE!!!!

Few among you could have braved the Horrific & Tortuous tests that they, as Astronauts endured, just to be "considered on a List, for these trips'.

GOD BLESS THEM & MAY THEY LONG REIGN IN HEAVEN!!!!

We will Not Forget Them.

JANE

 

I was out taking care of critters this mourning and I was hooking up the horse trailer when I heard it on the news. I am sorry they died and my condolences go out to their families. People can say all they want about how dangerous it is do things like send men into space and the program should be scrapped before more die and the money spent on better things, I say Bulls*&t.
I would go in a heartbeat, If they told me I would have to kill some one to go I'd be tempted, and I can think of a couple of people who deserve to be terminated. Hell yeah its dangerous what isn't ? remember life is a fatal condition, no one gets out alive, period. How many of you out there ride motorcycles? why? maybe we should ban them also. They volunteered and they knew the risks I would go and I know the risks. if you think the money is better spent on a cure for cancer, DONATE to cancer research, I do, I give blood also.
I joined the Army and retired from the Army National Guard I was activated for desert storm, I knew how dangerous it could be and I never considered trying to get out of it. I would ride into space on just about anything if I was offered the chance, I would like to be a test pilot also, I you could go back and ask anyone who has ever died doing any of these things if they would risk it again I bet they would.

 

Presumably you speak of me. If so, I invite you to re-read my post.... "tremendous respect and admiration".
Perhaps that meets the definition of hero - I do not know. None-the-less, I will accept that they are heros to you.
To me, they were motivated, gifted, intelligent, fortunate, blessed individuals who died doing WHAT THEY WANTED TO DO, and WHAT WE AS A NATION gave them the opportunity to do.
My point is they are considered heros because some technical flaw lead to their death. Now they will be considered heroes and their names will live forever - because they died. Are those who have flow previous missions and gotten home safely heros? Can you name them?
Maybe we are parsing words and we'd do best to remember: "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet."
Hero or not? I guess it is up to each to decide that based on their own definition of hero.
Worthy of tremendous respect and admiration? WITHOUT QUESTION!

Brian A

 

[B][QUOTE]Originally posted by TOUGHLover
[B]Would like to clarify my earlier post -
I am not "anti"-exploration, by any measure -

Quote originally posted by ultramagdan -

---You are looking at this from the wrong angle. Look at what space exploration has done for the world, GPS, Kevlar, Velcro, etc, etc,etc,. Yes, it was a horrible end for the crew. Yes it was an expensive mistake. But you cannot retreat and stop the search for knowledge. Yes, they will ground the fleet and do $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ in research and retro fitting of the existing aircraft. But, we will learn from our mistakes and continue on. Most great achievments are the result of mistakes learned. I know I do that every day. I am prepared to pay they price.
_________________________________________________
Thanks Brian, I understand fully and appreciate and respect what you wrote (your post and a couple or three others beat me to this reply) - and I appreciate and respect what the other couple folks said as well - just not sure I understand, completely.

This post started off as "condolences", I mentioned in a round-about way that the "race" ain't exactly on (well, it might be for many other nations, between themselves - but THEY are ALL DECADES behind us) - and while there was certainly "excitement" involved (just what the world needs - more excitement!?!), and memories to cherish (now THAT IS a good thing!), the space-race was as much about war, domination, ego and FEAR - these are not exactly virtues per se - rather necessary temporary evils, or perhaps, the lesser of two evils.

To the "gentleman" from Buckeye - well, I'll not dignify that post with comment.

Yeah - I'm not saying I wouldn't (or at least wouldn't have, before I had my first son 18 months ago) want to give it at least one "shot" myself - like I started my original post - "I am not (anti)" at all against education, exploration or discovery, on the contray ("etc., etc., etc.). I never mentioned anything about "retreat" or "stop".

For example, and as a poor analogy, but say my brakes are getting thin, worn-out, or, I don't really know, something's leading or lending itself to NOT stopping this truck very well all of a sudden, checked the fluid, checked for leaks, connections, can't find anything in a reasonable (15-20, 30 mins?) amount of time, but I've got to get to a job site , lets say, 50 miles away, mostly highway, (which CAN stop you on a dime from 60-70 mph here on the east coast anyway) but gotta go through a few small towns, or near a few big cities for that matter. The first 3/4 of the trip is very rural (kinda like space) no "rent-a-truck" places, can't find a garage, or at least not one that can get to you anytime soon. The boss, who is paying me, (incentive) REALLY wants me there (demand) so I just decide to "go for it" - I've been driving 27 years (well in excess of a million miles), I'll "watch it", "be careful" - and, "chances" are, "I'll be all right - I'll get there".

Have you EVER been in ANY type of accident/wreck? If so you know it's a blink of an eye kinda' thing - some "genius" pulls out, runs a red light - whatever - what if it's your girlfriend, or mom &/or dad, or wife that pulls out a little quick, or pushes that yellow to the point of red, and I'm already clutch pushed in and reving when she/he/they go through the red- cause remember - I'm behind schedule, which could just as easily mean I'm pushin' some lights, or just plain speedin'! - or Dear God forbid - it's YOUR little boy or girl that runs into the street chasing a ball or a dog, or just opens a car door at the wrong moment? The SMART thing to do would be to LOOK/SEARCH for alternatives, haste makes waste - and by "pulling over to the side" or making a "pit" one (or one nation) CAN take care of business in a prudent manner.

There's a time and a place for EVERYTHING GOOD. There's a time to accelerate, and there is a time to s-l-o-w things way down - the best racer drivers are not always (not usually!) the fastest - they are the "smoothest", and most patient - they have pits for a reason.

That's all, or at least, that's what, I'm gettin at.

We've got enough "advances" to hold us a couple, three or four years - which is about the length of time it's going to take to get the middle-east and the economy somewhat straight and back on track anyway.

Too much, of ANYTHING (think about it awhile) even a "good" thing, is EXACTLY that - TOO MUCH!

Just been a sad, sad day, Glenn ...

 

Space exploration is a challenge and a risky challenge at that. God bless those who perished.

 

We are all deeply sadden by this, but I will remember this differently that most of you. I heard the sound of seven people loosing their lives. The strange thing about this was that i was over 300 miles away from dallas. I heard the sound at around 8:30, meaning that it took around thirty minutes to reach me, and it was still very loud.
Lets not forget this by letting a shuttle launch become an every day thing, eveytime ones launches turn on your tv, listen to the radio. And when it returns, do the same. Do not let the launches become back page news, do not forget the people that died.


Chris

 

When I hear about something like this tragedy, I think back to my grandfather. He died in 1992 at the age of 89. What makes me think of him is the fact that he was born before the Wright Brothers first flew, and he was a senior citizen when men walked on the moon. I thought of him as a wonderful sort of time traveler from the past. He lived from the time of the horse and buggy until the time that mankind was leaving the Earth to explore the Universe beyond our common home. And he thought it was the greatest thing we as a people could ever do.


"... to slip the surly bonds of Earth, and touch the face of God."


Rest In Peace, Columbia flyers. Say hi to Grandpa Bill for me, will ya? He can tell you some great stories.

 

The way I look at it is like this. Man has always had an itch in his pants to go out and explore new things. If we were to stop now, where would that get us? What would have happened had Columbus listened to everyone who believed that the world was flat? What would have happened if Lewis and Clark hadn't gone west to explore the vast wilderness of what is now part of our great country? We must continue exploration of space...no doubt about it. Granted, lives have been lost. Not without purpose or meaning though. The crew members of Columbia and Challenger knew the risks involved. The astronauts on the Apollo missions knew it...I cannot remember which mission it was that caught fire, but they knew there was a very real chance something could go wrong. Technology has advanced much since then, and will continue to do so. Unfortunately there will also be human lives lost. Nothing is completely safe. We take risks every day. Myself, I'd rather take my chances and see what happens than live in a bubble all my life, fearing what "could" happen to me out there...that means anywhere...

Sure, this tragedy may have been preventable... Hindsight is also 20/20. These people gave their lives doing something they believed in. They did not waste them.

Phil