Launch on Need by Daniel Guiteras (small books to read txt) 📗

Allan Warner spoke first.

“As most of you probably know, the astronauts learned of the debris strike early this morning via an e-mail that was uplinked to Columbia. In the e-mail, it was explained to the crew that a spacewalk would be necessary for them to determine the extent of damage if any. Again, we’re not sure if there was any damage. Ah, it also was stipulated that the spacewalk would be performed tomorrow. We have selected two crew members to perform this EVA tomorrow—spacewalk; sorry, EVA is Extra Vehicular Activity.”

The panel smiled at Warner’s use of NASA speak. Most reporters in the room smiled, too, since they were familiar with the term EVA. They realized how hard it was for engineers to speak in a language other than NASA vernacular.

“Both astronauts selected for this EVA have previous spacewalk experience; however, they have not practiced the procedures they will be performing tomorrow. As you recall, STS-107 is strictly a lab-based science mission, with no spacewalks planned. On board Columbia are two spacesuits to be used for situations like this—for what we call a contingency Extra Vehicular Activity.”

Warner looked to his right, “Mr. Senca will now highlight the objectives for tomorrow’s EVA. Joe.”

“Thanks, Allan,” Senca said, sitting up straighter in his chair and readying his orbiter model for show and tell.

“The Tiger Team and I have been working out the procedures for the contingency EVA—the spacewalk to inspect the wing. We expect the EVA to be completed in less than two hours.”

Senca then held up his model of the orbiter with open payload bay doors. “We’re still working out the last of the details, but generally the spacewalk is a two-step process,” Senca said. He grabbed two scale models, one of a flexible astronaut figure and the other of an orbiter, and then using them, began to describe the EVA procedure.

“The first astronaut, after donning her spacesuit, will exit through the airlock here, the pressurized doorway that separates the astronauts of Columbia from the vacuum of space.” Senca pointed to the orbiter’s airlock. “The astronaut will then translate down the left side of the payload bay here, moving toward the rear of the spacecraft until she is over the leading edge of the left wing, about two-thirds of the way down the payload bay. The astronaut will then lean out over the payload bay door to inspect the wing. If no damage is seen on the upper surface, she then climbs out over the payload bay door and steps out onto the wing, forming a bridge between the wing and the payload bay door.”

Senca looked up from his model, out at the reporters, looking for any signs that he was losing people. So far so good.

“In case you’re wondering,” Senca offered, “it’s about 4 feet from the payload bay door down to the wing. It may not sound like a difficult task to climb over the door and lower yourself down 4 feet, but when you’re wearing a spacesuit in zero-G, it can get rather tricky.

“Assuming the first astronaut is unable to see the wing well enough to assess any damage,” Senca continued as he manipulated a second astronaut figure, “the second astronaut will exit Columbia in the same manner, again through the airlock, translating along the payload bay. He will then climb over the payload bay door and will use the first astronaut’s back and legs to lower himself down toward the leading edge of the wing.

“The astronauts will have two-way communication with each other, with Columbia and with Mission Control here in Houston,” Senca added, setting his model of Columbia down on the table. “The spacewalk is scheduled for 9:37 A.M. CST tomorrow.” He looked up, signaling he was through with his demonstration. An awkward pause followed.

“The panel will now take any questions you might have,” the moderator said from the podium.

“Hi, Connie Ostrowski, Dallas Morning News. Can you tell us about how the crew of Columbia reacted when they heard the news of the debris strike and the need for a spacewalk?”

The panel members looked at each other and Warner nodded he would take this one.

“Well, remember we don’t know if there is any wing damage at this point. We’re speculating, but as of yet we have no confirmation. That being said, the reaction from the crew was what you might expect; they were concerned, but optimistic that it will turn out to be nothing.”

“Mark Gooding, Space.com. In what way will the mission be compromised, in terms of experiments being abandoned or abbreviated, to allow astronauts time to perform the spacewalk?”

Reid Hamilton spoke up immediately.

“We’ve maintained close communication with all our payload suppliers for this mission. They are aware of our concerns about the debris strike and realize their experiments may be compromised as a result of schedule shifting. They have all been very supportive and understanding, though disappointed somewhat with the realization that their experiments might not be run. But they are certainly in agreement that the crew’s safety is the top priority.”

“Hi, Tara Wilkens, Associated Press. Will we be able to watch the spacewalk live? Will we be able to see the amount of wing damage?”

“Not with the way EVA procedures stand at this time,” Senca answered. “The cargo bay of Columbia was not fitted with the cameras we typically use for spacewalks because there were no planned spacewalks for this mission. We are looking into possibly taping a handheld video camera to the helmet of the second EVA astronaut so the wing damage can be seen by Mission Control. But that video will have to be downlinked from Columbia after the EVA is completed. If we do get video footage, it won’t be released until late in the day tomorrow.”

Stangley stood in the third row, sensing Senca was through with his answer. Fifteen other reporters also were standing, ready with questions for the panel. Stangley was in Houston, back from the dead, at a NASA press conference no less, ready