Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster

[Fred313]

Quote:Authors: Rachel A. Koestler-Grack
Release: 2004-04
Format: PDF 48 pages
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
ISBN: 1591976596 (1-59197-659-6)
ISBN 13: 9781591976592 (978-1-59197-659-2)
List Price: $25.65

On February 1, 2003, the seven astronauts aboard the space
shuttle Columbia finished the last systems checks. They radioed
Mission Control in Houston, Texas, to say that the ship was in the
correct position for reentry. They were preparing to return home.
Computers guided Columbia during most of the reentry. Flying a
shuttle through reentry and landing usually goes smoothly. But it is
challenging. Many astronauts have acknowledged the difficulty of
returning a space shuttle to Earth.
Pilot William C. McCool and Mission Commander Rick Husband
took over from the computers after the ship passed through what is
called the plasma stage. Keeping control of the ship during this part
of the return is tricky. McCool and Husband maneuvered the orbiter
in S-turns to slow it down. At the same time, they monitored dozens
of dials and indicators to make sure the ship stayed on course.
At 8:45 AM eastern standard time, Columbia began to enter Earth’s
atmosphere. Atmospheric friction created a pink glow around the
shuttle as the protective tiles on the ship heated up. The glow
changed from pink to red to scorching white as the ship continued
its rapid descent. During reentry, the tiles heated to almost 3,000
degrees Fahrenheit (1,650°C). At this time, Columbia’s reentry was
nearly perfect.

Filesize: 5 MB

Code:

http://rapidshare.com/files/248519229/SpaShuColDis_ThePoet.rar

[udayoneness]

(06-27-2009 09:07 PM)Fred313 Wrote:  

Quote:Authors: Rachel A. Koestler-Grack
Release: 2004-04
Format: PDF 48 pages
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
ISBN: 1591976596 (1-59197-659-6)
ISBN 13: 9781591976592 (978-1-59197-659-2)
List Price: $25.65

On February 1, 2003, the seven astronauts aboard the space
shuttle Columbia finished the last systems checks. They radioed
Mission Control in Houston, Texas, to say that the ship was in the
correct position for reentry. They were preparing to return home.
Computers guided Columbia during most of the reentry. Flying a
shuttle through reentry and landing usually goes smoothly. But it is
challenging. Many astronauts have acknowledged the difficulty of
returning a space shuttle to Earth.
Pilot William C. McCool and Mission Commander Rick Husband
took over from the computers after the ship passed through what is
called the plasma stage. Keeping control of the ship during this part
of the return is tricky. McCool and Husband maneuvered the orbiter
in S-turns to slow it down. At the same time, they monitored dozens
of dials and indicators to make sure the ship stayed on course.
At 8:45 AM eastern standard time, Columbia began to enter Earth’s
atmosphere. Atmospheric friction created a pink glow around the
shuttle as the protective tiles on the ship heated up. The glow
changed from pink to red to scorching white as the ship continued
its rapid descent. During reentry, the tiles heated to almost 3,000
degrees Fahrenheit (1,650°C). At this time, Columbia’s reentry was
nearly perfect.

Filesize: 5 MB

Code:

http://rapidshare.com/files/248519229/SpaShuColDis_ThePoet.rar