Re: Challenger

On Sun, 9 Jun 2024 08:21:52 +0100, Jeff Layman <Jeff@invalid.invalid>
wrote:

On 09/06/2024 03:42, john larkin wrote:

https://www.amazon.com/Challenger-Story-Heroism-Disaster-Space/dp/198217661X
 
This is a very well researched and written book, and a sad, ghastly
story.
 
It reminds me that humans have no purpose in space but to die.

>
That's a very jaundiced and negative view. Firstly, they weren't in
space when they died; they were at 46000 feet, which was below the
operational height of Concorde.

Dead is dead. Optimistically, they died instantly but probably not.

>
On that subject, the only fatal crash of Concorde took place just after
take-off almost 25 years after it started service. By your criterion,
supersonic flight would have been blamed for the crash, and its purpose
deemed unnecessary, even though the accident had nothing to do with
supersonic flight, or perhaps even flight itself. Those Wright Brothers
have a lot to answer for!
>
It is human nature to explore, even at the extremes. Where would America
be if it wasn't for the Vikings, Columbus, and others like them?

What is there to "explore", sealed in a metal can with a few
portholes?

Robots are better "explorers" of "outer space" than people. Nobody
much cares when they die.

Read the book.