Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Hangtime on February 01, 2003, 10:37:13 PM

Title: Shuttle: Tip Of The Spear
Post by: Hangtime on February 01, 2003, 10:37:13 PM
There are few places in our world where the combined aquired knowledge of man is focused on a mission to benefit all of mankind... The Shuttle Program is such a locus, a lens; so to speak where the very best of everything we have is focused. It represents the sum total of all mans skill and courage, our combined application of physics and engineering, our thirst for knowledge, our drive to explore, to go onwards and outwards, to extend the frontiers of all knowledge.

To this point in time many many thousands of pioneers of knowledge have given their lives in the advancement of science and technology.. for it is true that knowlege; like freedom, has a price.

To the men and women of the Space Program I offer my thanks and gratitude.. for my child, for the children of my neighbors, for the children of all mankind you represent hope for a bright tomorrow, full of the promise of great new wonders, questions asked and ultimately answered.

(http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/space-shuttle-launch3a.jpg)

There, on the tip of that gleaming spear; rides the very best of best.. as it should be. They did not falter on their quest, we should not falter in ours. We MUST continue to support and facilitate their mission.. for none is more noble. What they do, they do for us. What they did, they did for us.

Lets do our part to keep 'em flying. Support the space program. Demand new funding. Better funding. Lets drive on.. make this the dawn of a new era in space. Tell your neighbors, your congressman and your senator you support the exploration of space.

"Throttle Up!"
Title: Shuttle: Tip Of The Spear
Post by: Ozark on February 01, 2003, 10:50:22 PM
Thank you Hangtime, well stated.
Title: Shuttle: Tip Of The Spear
Post by: Karnak on February 01, 2003, 11:13:34 PM
Well said Hangtime.  

They were selected as the best we had to offer and they went knowing the dangers to forge a better future for us all.

Please, let us not let them have died in vain.

Shuttle Commander Rick D. Husband
(http://i.cnn.net/cnn/2003/US/02/01/sprj.colu.shuttle.husband/story.husband.cnn.jpg)

Pilot William C. McCool
(http://i.cnn.net/cnn/2003/US/02/01/sprj.colu.shuttle.mccool/story.mccool.cnn.jpg)

Payload Commander Michael P. Anderson
(http://i.cnn.net/cnn/2003/US/02/01/shuttle.astronaut.sister/story.anderson.cnn.jpg)

Mission Specialist David M. Brown
(http://i.cnn.net/cnn/2003/US/02/01/sprj.colu.profile.brown/story.brown.cnn.jpg)

Mission Specialist Kalpana Chawla
(http://i.cnn.net/cnn/2003/TECH/space/02/01/shuttle.columbia.india/story.chawla.cnn.jpg)

Mission Specialist Laurel Clark
(http://i.cnn.net/cnn/2003/US/02/01/sprj.colu.profile.clark/story.clark.cnn.jpg)

Mission Specialist Ilan Ramon
(http://i.cnn.net/cnn/2003/WORLD/meast/02/01/shuttle.israel.reax/story.ramon.ap.jpg)

Thank you, crew of Columbia.


This day is very, very sad for this country and this world.  We have lost seven exemplary indiviuals and seven heroes.:(   I am having trouble saying what I feel.

Title: Shuttle: Tip Of The Spear
Post by: Octavius on February 01, 2003, 11:40:25 PM
very nice, hang

Title: Shuttle: Tip Of The Spear
Post by: udet on February 02, 2003, 12:01:24 AM
to all the world's astronauts and cosmonauts.
Title: Shuttle: Tip Of The Spear
Post by: Saurdaukar on February 02, 2003, 01:07:02 AM
Well written Hang.
Title: Shuttle: Tip Of The Spear
Post by: Mathman on February 02, 2003, 01:59:54 AM
Thank you Hang.  You have made my day with that (see the thread in our squad forum to know what I am talking about).

Very well spoken and thought out.  And I very much agree with everything you said.
Title: Shuttle: Tip Of The Spear
Post by: Swoop on February 02, 2003, 04:16:00 AM
Damn good stuff.



(http://image1ex.villagephotos.com/extern/640697.jpg)
Title: Shuttle: Tip Of The Spear
Post by: Puke on February 02, 2003, 12:22:44 PM
Hangtime, wow...very nice.  You touch on something I've been thinking about, and I'm bothered by the fact that I wonder if I should even be thinking it.  I see news stories all the time where many people perish, but it doesn't touch me like it does when I read about those who have perished in the space industry.  I can't put my finger on it and I've been wondering why, but I think it is more than the death of the individuals but something of humankind and where we are going.  Spaceship Earth will not be here forever and we will need to go to the stars one day.  That is our direction and though we take baby-steps right now, we may stumble at time but we must move on.  These heros are an integral part of where humankind is going and I think that is why it saddens me above most other tragic events.
Title: Shuttle: Tip Of The Spear
Post by: Naso on February 02, 2003, 01:54:40 PM
Hangtime, wise words.

:(
Title: This needs to be passed around
Post by: Fridaddy on February 02, 2003, 03:07:16 PM
Hangtime, may I post this on other boards and such. You will get credit I assure you that.
Title: Shuttle: Tip Of The Spear
Post by: Black Sheep on February 02, 2003, 03:26:58 PM
This may not be too relevant - but I remember the first launch of Columbia back in 1981 and it was breathtaking to say the least -

There was a song written not too long afterwards by Rush on thier 1982 SIGNALS album - called 'Countdown' and I always hear that song whenever I see anything to do with any shuttle's launch and return.

There is also a video for this song with great shots of NASA and the launch. If I can zip an mp3 of the song down small enough, I will post it.

Columbia
Title: Shuttle: Tip Of The Spear
Post by: Slash27 on February 02, 2003, 05:11:14 PM
Nice Hangtime.<>
Title: Shuttle: Tip Of The Spear
Post by: Nash on February 02, 2003, 05:35:58 PM
Aye Hang - fantastic post!
Title: Shuttle: Tip Of The Spear
Post by: icemaw on February 03, 2003, 01:31:27 AM
As I allways do I watched many many hours of mission coverage on nasa tv. Watched this crew go tru thier daily chores. Watched them eat and sleep. Watched Laurel eat one of her fav foods soup. Watched into late into sat morning saw them packing up getting ready to land. Went to bed about 5am pac time woke up 6 hours later go to the puter to read the news and they are all gone. I allmost feel like I knew them in some little way. It makes me sad in a way I dont think I have ever felt before to see them so close to the hour of thier death. Watch them eat thier last meal. Hours before they are smiling laughing enjoying the climax of the greatest event in thier lives. Now all just a memory the reality erased by flame and sorrow.

     Heros all that reached for a higher place and in doing so pushed back the darkness and brought us all a little closer to the light.
Title: Shuttle: Tip Of The Spear
Post by: Rkmaw on February 03, 2003, 01:12:51 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Black Sheep
This may not be too relevant - but I remember the first launch of Columbia back in 1981 and it was breathtaking to say the least -

There was a song written not too long afterwards by Rush on thier 1982 SIGNALS album - called 'Countdown' and I always hear that song whenever I see anything to do with any shuttle's launch and return.

There is also a video for this song with great shots of NASA and the launch. If I can zip an mp3 of the song down small enough, I will post it.

Columbia


here is webpage with nice group photo of the crew and link to listen to the entire Signals album http://www.worldwidewebtour.com/ "Countdown" is last in order
Title: Shuttle: Tip Of The Spear
Post by: Sclew on February 03, 2003, 11:45:48 PM
They will never be forgot.

They did not die in vain

when stars lay within reach

each shall share a name