Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!lavaca.uh.edu!jetson.uh.edu!cheehh
From: Arora@uh.edu
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: Columbia showing her age?
Message-ID: <7958.27668e80@jetson.uh.edu>
Date: 13 Dec 90 02:09:36 GMT
References: <20792.2765fbdf@merrimack.edu>
Organization: University of Houston
Lines: 29

In article <20792.2765fbdf@merrimack.edu>, yetmank@merrimack.edu writes:
> I know I'll get bombarded for this.
> 
> Am I the only one who feels that Columbia is starting to show her age?  This
> last mission was an absolute disaster for the orbiter.  Such problems lead this
> small time space follower to question how long it will be before Columbia is at
> fault for a major disaster.
> 
> Kevin

More bombardment:
The major problems on this flight were the initial start-up problems with
the telescopes and the failure of the two digital display units.  In both
cases, the hardware/software was specific to this mission (Astro-1) and
not part of Columbia's original equipment.  The other problem was with 
the waste water disposal.  I would hardly categorize it as a "major
disaster"  There were contingency plans and the mission could have been
continued for the full 10 days + a couple of extra ones.  
As Henry has pointed out, the H2 leaks can probably be traced down to
the ground equipment.  The early return was due to weather constraints.
So, where is Columbia at fault??  In fact, Discovery has made more trips
to space and is still going strong!
-- 
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                .............                    |       Rikhit Arora
 And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod  |    cheehh@uhupvm1.bitnet
    The high untrespassed sanctity of space,	 |       Arora@uh.edu
  Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.  |    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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