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

post-launch still and video analysis of Atlantis—they would need to assess whether or not she sustained tile damage during launch.

“We will spare no expense in effecting a rescue of our astronauts,” the president had stated. Columbia’s now-infamous launch imaging had helped to galvanize the need for upgrades. But in terms of upgrades to NASA’s current launch-imaging systems, there would be none before the rescue launch.

It wasn’t that the photo/video engineers weren’t sure what to buy; they in fact had compiled pages and pages of recommended hardware upgrades. Their wish list was as ready as a 10-year-old’s six months before Christmas. And it didn’t seem to be a money issue, either. The president had promised the funding.

The reason no upgrades to the imaging system would be made before the launch was simple: There wasn’t enough time. There wasn’t enough time to select, purchase, install and test new imaging equipment in the roughly 25 days before launch.

Brown was troubled by this reality and it weighed on him heavily. He agonized over the idea of sending another shuttle up without having made improvements to systems and materials they knew were flawed. No matter how hard he tried to get his mind around the concept, the answer always came back the same.

Seven astronauts needed to be rescued, no matter the cost.

The hard truth was that no improvements would be made to the external fuel tank used to launch Atlantis and her rescue crew of four. There also would be no improvements in the launch-imaging system. If there were significant foam loss during the launch of Atlantis, the photo guys would again rely on the same limited imaging they had with Columbia. Except this time, the detailed review of Atlantis’s launch films—the diligent hunt for possible damage to Atlantis’s thermal protection system—would be for the welfare of 11 astronauts instead of seven.

The Kennedy Space Center had become the queen bee of the space program, the epicenter for everything NASA. But to appreciate the impact the rescue mission was having on the world, to see in living color the circus Brown had predicted, his staff had turned on the TV.

“So what are they saying about us, guys?” Brown asked. His staff had their 25-inch monitors tuned to the news, and he could see they were nervously switching channels just about every 30 seconds.

“Well, they’re covering every angle, that’s for sure,” Steve Metzer said, “everything from toys to prayer vigils.”

“Did you say toys?” Brown asked.

“Yeah, CNN had some spokesperson from Toys “R” Us saying that first there was a huge run on all toys related to Columbia and Atlantis—but those quickly sold out. Stores across the country then sold out of all shuttle-related toys. Models, puzzles, Legos and any other shuttle-themed toys are all sold out. He even said an increase in production would likely have little impact on inventories until after the launch. Then there are the T-shirt vendors. Did you happen to see them on your way in here today?”

“No, I didn’t notice,” Brown responded, shaking his head.

“Well, they’re all over SR 405, don’t know how you could’ve missed them. There are T-shirts, flags for car antennas, pink and yellow magnetic ribbons that say ‘Go NASA,’ and ‘Go Atlantis.’ Even the KSC Visitor Center gift shop is cleaned out. I drove over there yesterday; the place looks like it’s been looted by a couple hundred people. There’s stuff on eBay, like mission patches, selling for four or five times retail. It’s just flat-out crazy.”

Brown smiled, “Crazy is not the word for it… Oh, hey, turn that up, I want to hear what they’re saying about Mission Control.”

Metzer hit the mute button to get the audio back. Then Brown and Metzer listened to the various news briefs.

“… at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, Mission Control software engineers are busy wrestling with changes to Atlantis’s flight software. We were told by a NASA spokesperson today that creating the software flight plan for a shuttle mission typically takes six months. The software for Atlantis and her STS-114 mission, the mission she was supposed to fly in March, had already been completed. But since Atlantis has been reassigned to the rescue mission, she won’t be going to the Space Station. Engineers have to make changes to her software—changes in her launch window, altitude and inclination to orbit—and write instructions for rendezvous with Columbia. Initially there was concern that NASA’s current computer hardware would not be able to support Columbia, Atlantis and the International Space Station all in space at the same time. But we were reassured by a NASA press statement that was published earlier today that NASA will in fact be able to manage all three in space without having to add computers, and that engineers will not have to mix new and old computers prior to the rescue launch.”

“… In the history of NASA’s manned spaceflight program, there has never been a problem finding candidates willing to sit atop a multimillion-pound rocket and go wherever it was going. And now with the pending rescue mission, astronauts are no doubt wondering whether they’ll be chosen for this historic mission.

“According to NASA’s latest press release, four astronauts will be chosen for this mission. Atlantis will need a commander, a pilot and two EVA specialists—remember the EVA astronauts are the space walk experts. We are told that final astronaut selection will be completed sometime today, and that their names will be announced tomorrow. As soon as we know their identities we’ll get that information to you…”

“…CNN’s political correspondent Jerry Campbell is standing by now with a report from Washington, D.C. Jerry?”

“Thanks, Stephanie. Well, as you know there has been a growing buzz here in Washington in relation to the rescue mission. A rescue mission of an international crew couldn’t be better timed as the president continues to meet with the United Nations, petitioning for support on the war with Iraq.

“And then, of course, campaigning for reelection is imminent. The rescue mission is likely to offer