Author
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Topic: Photo of the week 585 (January 9, 2016)
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heng44 Member Posts: 3387 From: Netherlands Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 01-09-2016 01:48 AM
Astronauts Hank Hartsfield and Bo Bobko inspect Columbia's thermal protection system for damage following an afternoon hail storm at Launch Pad 39A on June 26, 1982, one day before the scheduled launch of STS-4. Hartsfield was pilot for the flight, while Bobko flew as pilot on STS-6. |
joe bruce Member Posts: 129 From: Spokane, WA U.S.A. Registered: Nov 2004
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posted 01-09-2016 10:49 AM
This was the first shuttle launch I had seen in person. It would not be my last. My wife and I were traveling from the World's Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee, to Washingtn DC and finally to the launch of STS-4. It was how we celebrated our 1st wedding anniversary. Not very comfortable spendng the night in a Datsun B 210 rental car 10 miles from the pad with hundreds of thousands spectators also waiting for a spectacular launch. It was an unforgettable anniversary and we are still married. I have a very understanding wife. |
OV-105 Member Posts: 816 From: Ridgecrest, CA Registered: Sep 2000
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posted 01-09-2016 12:59 PM
And that set of SRB's are still together at the bottom of the sea. |
sts205cdr Member Posts: 649 From: Sacramento, CA Registered: Jun 2001
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posted 01-09-2016 01:23 PM
Hail Columbia, indeed!
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mach3valkyrie Member Posts: 719 From: Albany, Oregon Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 01-09-2016 02:34 PM
That mission landed at Edwards on July 4, and the new Challenger took off on its 747 carrier soon after the landing. Now that was fun to watch. Cool stuff going on then. |
astro-nut Member Posts: 946 From: Washington, IL Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 01-23-2016 11:07 AM
Another awesome photo! Thanks for sharing. Yes, I, too, remember the rain storm the day before the STS-4 launch. Back then it made the TV news. |