Return to Flight -- An Enterprise Surprise ....
Last night, as NASA's Mission Control was radioing up its nightly "wake-up call" to the crew of the Space Shuttle Discovery -- to formally begin another day of orbital activities during the current STS-114 Mission -- we were startled to suddenly recognize a very familiar tune ... and lyrics:
"It's been a long road
Getting from there to here
It's been a long time
but my time is finally near.
And I will see my dreams come alive at last
I would touch the sky.
And they're not gonnna hold me down no more
no they're not gonna change my mind ...."
The opening theme from none other than the UPN Television series, "Enterprise!"
Fans will instantly remember that this is the controversial music, played at the beginning of each episode, that overlays a series of historical image flashbacks ... each depicting the drama of human exploration -- from the era of a sailing ship named Enterprise ....
To the (fictional) launching of the first "starship Enterprise" herself.
As the theme progresses (specifically written for the Enterpise series by well-known movie songwriter, Diane Warren), the landing of the actual Space Shuttle Enterprise at Edwards Air Force Base -- which, as noted in another entry in this "Captain's Blog" ("Scotty Beams Up ... One last Time"), we and a group of Washington policy advisors (along with about 400,000 other Star Trek fans!) managed to convince then-President Ford to rename, over NASA's strenuous objections in 1976 -- briefly appears ....
During the Show's second season, this theme became the center of some considerable controversy among fans -- with critics claiming "As it stands, the song is out of place ...."
The producers stood fast and the theme music survived--
To wind up entering actual space history yesterday evening -- as it was played to the awakening crew of a NASA Space Shuttle, docked to the International Space Station over 220 miles above the Earth, at the beginning of their most critical day in space ....
* * *
For, this was the day that Steve Robinson -- one of the seven-member crew of Discovery awakened with this specific theme last night -- would then go outside ... and perform the first-ever in-flight repair of a Space Shuttle still in orbit!
OK, so far so good; playing Star Trek themes up to real astronauts circling the Earth is cool ....
But, it was what came next that really got my undivided attention.
After the NASA PAO officer at Mission Control informed the audience watching NASA TV that--
"... the astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery were just awakened at 10:09 PM Central Time by the song, "Where My Heart Will take Me," composed by Dennis McCarthy [sic]. It's the theme song for the Star Trek Enterprise series ....
She then went on to say:
"And that was the dedication from the Deputy Shuttle Program Manager, Wayne Hale [emphasis added] ...."
Huh?!
Suddenly, the cute Discovery "Enterprise wake-up call" ... a neat "homage" to the Star Trek/NASA historical connection we'd played such a memorable role to bring about decades before ... took on a totally different meaning.
For, of course, it was Wayne Hale that I -- as "Captain" of the Enterprise Mission -- had specifically singled out just day before yesterday (in my most recent "Captain's Blog," entitled "Return to Flight -- NOT Yet ... maybe NEVER!?") -- as the key NASA official who could have handled the stunning "grounding of the entire Shuttle Program" before Discovery came home, very differently.
Was this a "coded" message -- direct from Mr. Hale to Enterprise -- regarding the rest of the explosive contents of that piece: the very serious revelation by a "NASA insider" of the existence of a small "cabal" in NASA, who are seeking -- with this problem-plagued, STS-114 Discovery Mission -- any excuse to permanetly ground the Shuttle Fleet ... forever!!?
And, thereby also eliminate the Space Station from further NASA budgetary concern ...?
It damn well appeared to be exactly that!
NASA astronaut Shannon Lucid, in her capacity as "capcom" -- official Mission Control communicator with the crew in orbit -- had provided substantial support for such a "reading" of Hale's "message" in her own immediate explanation to the Discovery crew of Hale's unexpected musical selection ... if not why it was he who had personally selected it:
"... You can sort of think of the wake up music this morning as the inspirational memo that he would have written you to tell you how much we believe in you. That is, if he were a musician rather than an engineer [emphasis added] ...."
I mean, what were the odds that, of all the possible songs on the planet which could have been radioed up to wake the crew -- just a few hours after an "Enterprise" blog appeared specifically discussing Mr. Hale's role in a VERY dubious Shuttle management decision -- this very individual would then select the only theme specifically written for the television series "Enterprise" to wake that very crew??!!
As George Noory is fond of saying constantly ... "I don't believe in 'coincidence.'"
Or, as a slightly earlier public figure, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, reiterated on more than one occasion: "In politics, there are NO coincidences ...."
What to play as a "wake-up song" to the astronauts on an on-going Shuttle Mission -- with the entire world watching and listening -- definitely qualifies, for all its apparent lightheartedness, as a "political" decision. Moreso on THIS first Mission -- after a searing National Tragedy, and one particularly sensitive for NASA ... the stunning loss of Culumbia just two and a half years ago ... and all her crew.
This has placed this Mission -- the "Return to Flight" Mission of Discovery, only two and a half years after Columbia's shattering demise -- in a particularly unforgiving spotlight.
As we noted in a prior "Captain's Blog" ("Return to Flight ... A tale of Tiles ...."), Commander Eileen Collins' earlier selection of wake-up music from "Ground Hog Day" was definitely "political" -- as she herself "admitted": supposedly, her way to "celebrate the crew's successful 'breaking of the NASA-quarantine timeloop,' and actually getting into orbit ...."
We had some other thoughts on this ... and expressed them in that Blog.
Now, Hale's personal selection of Discovery "wake-up" music -- and, specifically from the television series "Enterprise"-- could only be viewed in the context of our own recent Enterprise Mission criticism here ... not only of the current Shuttle Mission ... but of him.
So, what was Wayne Hale trying to say to us?
That seemed fairly obvious: that we (and our "NASA source") were indeed "on to it" -- that there was, in fact, some kind of "interference" with this Mission, including ... whoever had directed him to make the "grounding announcement" exactly when he did! And that we, by all means, should continue to expose this "interference!"
* * *
Wayne Hale had reached his current "exalted" position in the Agency -- a bonafide spaceflight engineer suddenly made "Deputy Manager of the entire Shuttle Program," after the Columbia Disaster -- because he was the engineer (according to key NASA sources) who had tried valiently to get the DOD spy satellite images of the potentially damaged tiles on the crippled Columbia ... and had been turned down by his own higher management in NASA!
His "reward" for trying to "do the right thing" was to be put in charge of not only major sections of the recovering Shuttle Program, but to play a key Headquarters role in the current "Return to Flight" Mission.
His "signaling" Enterprise by his remarkable selection of the "Enterprise" theme song ... as "one of the good guys"... was a very positive development in this whole previously dismal situation.
For it confirmed that our announced strategy -- of making the conspiracy that we have been informed about completely public; the Plan to bring an early end to the entire Shuttle Program, perhaps by any means ... and on the occasion of this Mission -- was working .... And could, with a little help, successfully forestall any further "escalation" ....
So, was Hale's sudden "public acknowlegement of Enterprise" ... that help?!
Because of the startling nature of this "message" (if not its source!), I certainly wanted further confirmation that we had, indeed, read Hale's "music code" correctly. So, I put in a call to our original "NASA source." I wanted both his independent "take" on what Hale was trying to accomplish with this "message," and what (if anything) we should do as a response.
What he said exceeded my wildest expectations ....
That, not only was this indeed "a message" to the Enterprise Mission ... a not-so-subtle "acknowlegement" (to those who have been watching ...) of our service to this Mission; but that it was far more ... indeed, Shannon Lucid's description of it as "a memo" was quite accurate -- a "memo" directed specifically at those inside and outside NASA, who would dare to interfere with the successful completion of this Mission.
In other words: a thinly-veiled, official "threat" -- to the very "bad guys" we were seeking to forestall!
That -- if anything "deliberate" happened to this Shuttle Mission -- "they" would be officially exposed ... and, through the very democratic process we had started decades ago, when we had successfully convinced a President to rename the original Enterprise ... in our first effort to bring openness to NASA and the Shuttle Program!
Stay tuned ....
-0-
531 Comments:
An additional observation: the TV series "Enterprise" was just cancelled! How's that for a wake up call!
Richard I don't know if you have seen/read my comments at the end of your last blog. Ask, if not seen, and I will repost them.
BTW, you mentioned rapid blinking as an indication of stress. There is another possibility, perhaps you've thought of it. Anyway, while watching yesterday's interview over lunch, I noticed the same blinking, but it seemed more deliberate/purposeful. I could be wrong, but it seemed like Morse. Have you taped these incidents and find some one who knows Morse to look at them in that light? (A trick done by POWs in Nam).
"TV series "Enterprise" was just cancelled." Yeah, and deservedly so. It has long sucked. Like its predessors. There was no larger theme - just hohum bad guys doing who knows what, for reasons unknown. Characters were very weak and some seemed just eye-candy.
Thanks Richard,
for the Blog - and the opportunity it affords so many of us to keep a KEEN eye on things going on...and, thanks to your sleep-deprived efforts, virtually in REAL TIME!
We ARE watching closely, and the mass consciousness continues to expand. I often encounter skeptical individuals who are science teachers, space lawyers and others, who are still unaware of any of this "stuff". They remind me of how I was just a few short years back. ("Come on, how could the good ole boys of NASA really be pulling the wool over our eyes...").
Please by assured that many of these folks - the ones who will continue to represent a real transformation in public attitudes - are gradually being reached as a result of your efforts. Especially this very timely BLOG - which seems to have commenced during this time for a reason.
Once again - we are paying close attention NASA, et all....
Anon said ...
>An additional observation: the TV series "Enterprise" was just cancelled! How's that for a wake up call!<
This was actually pointed out by Mike Bara last night .... :)
That interpretation would, of course, fit perfectly with the information we had previously received ....
Howerver, if Hale concurred with this "cabal," it is highly doubtful he would have gone to the lengths he did to communicate his "message" to them ... and us.
So, I'm encouraged this will NOT happen -- and certainly now NOT in any "catastrophic" manner.
PIF said...
>Richard I don't know if you have seen/read my comments at the end of your last blog. Ask, if not seen, and I will repost them.
Yes, please repost to this NEW thread .... :)
>BTW, you mentioned rapid blinking as an indication of stress. There is another possibility, perhaps you've thought of it. Anyway, while watching yesterday's interview over lunch, I noticed the same blinking, but it seemed more deliberate/purposeful. I could be wrong, but it seemed like Morse. Have you taped these incidents and find some one who knows Morse to look at them in that light? (A trick done by POWs in Nam).<
We have thought of that as well -- I was specifically thinking of Commander Bucher's (sp?) experience in North Korea, on the captured US spyship "Pueblo" in 1968 ....
So, if anyone knows Morse -- by all means chime in .... :)
Richard,
As anyone brought up the possibility that the Discovery is meant to be a "ritual sacrifice" of 7 astronauts, the Shuttle AND the Program?
If NASA "goes under" because of this, is it possible that the Dept of Defense (and the supporting M/I COmplex) then has sole US access to space? After all, we know there are neo-con aims for the militarization of space. This would get rid of any civilian oversight.
1. http://www.vendyljones.org.il/
2. where's my free al - foil for my hat.
3. it's not over till they get home
4. I love it when a plan comes togather.
together hehe again
Ugh,
sorry but I just can't hang on any longer...although I so badly want to.
Something in my gut says that the 8/1 blog and this one leave way too many questions unanswered and has led us right back to where we started: mission gone bad because of faulty engineering and improper/sloppy implementation.
As both an engineer(trained/employed) and a musican, the two don't really mix well; and so it seems unlikely that Mr Hale has either the time or the inclination to so "wisely" choose the music...(hence my gut feeling??)
OK, so I'll stick it out, but my skepticism has increased.
I'll check back after STS-114 has completed.
SunKing said...
>Has anyone brought up the possibility that the Discovery is meant to be a "ritual sacrifice" of 7 astronauts, the Shuttle AND the Program?<
Given the documented ritual nature of previous NASA activities, that has been a concern ....
>If NASA "goes under" because of this, is it possible that the Dept of Defense (and the supporting M/I COmplex) then has sole US access to space? After all, we know there are neo-con aims for the militarization of space. This would get rid of any civilian oversight.<
Again, that is another MAJOR concern ... which -- in addition to preserving the lives of the crew -- is why we must do ALL we can to ensure this Mission concludes successfully.
NASA determined that the exposed ceramic-fiber fillers could lead to overheating and a possible repeat of Columbia's disastrous re-entry. Thus two potentially dangerous strips of protruding filler from Discovery's tile belly were pulled. WHat next? Do ground control and astranauts fold their hands and pray for safe arrival? Or is there orders coming from above which will subject this mission into doing something else that nobody finds any rationale in doing but can't help themselves in not doing?
Richard,
Though I'm a stauch supporter for manned spaceflight, I've long thought that the space station itself was a boondoggle. Simultaneously now --as you've pointed out-- the shuttle fleet is indeed based on obsolete technology and increasingly difficult to maintain.
But now we have this goal of a return to the Moon and, possibly, a 'cabal' within NASA which may be trying to find some means of backing out of the whole sorry mess that the station/shuttle fleet (as a packaged deal) now represents.
For the sake of balance, I therefore have to ask: Isn't it possible that you might be backing the wrong horse??
Of course, I don't really know enough to actually know what I'm talking about --but if the new goal is a return to the Moon (which I strongly endorse, myself), and the space program badly needs the funds for the new technology (new ships!) required to accomplish this goal, how could that reasonably be accomplished without the immediate termination of the current priorities? Wouldn't a string of possibly exaggerated concerns actually be the most effective and (diplomatic) strategy?
didnt know if you guys saw this yet..
http://www.wired.com/news/space/0,2697,68258,00.html
cheers
Repost 1
RCH said,
>Thanks to your able research skills<
You are more than welcome.
ON the email blog paste issue: Solved.
I emailed the current blog to myself. What the emailer sees before sending is not a problem, since the email contains only a link to the blog.
From: X
Subject: Captain's Blog: Return to Flight ... A Tale of Tiles ....
Date: August 3, 2005 7:16:02 AM
To: X
X has sent you a link to a weblog:
(300 word text message goes here)
Blog: Captain's Blog
Post: Return to Flight ... A Tale of Tiles ....
Link: http://www.enterprisemission.com/weblog/2005/07/return-to-flight-tale-of-tiles.html
--
Powered by Blogger
http://www.blogger.com/
---------
Repost2
I heard - on CSPAN's WA Journal - an old engineer call in and suggest using aluminum fibers in the foam, since AL gets strong the colder it is - at liquid H temps, it is stronger than steel.
Repost 3
Templemaster333, RCH:
>The additional fact that these are adjacent planets makes me very suspicious that these planets were once locked in a MUTUAL tidal embrace.<
There is an old book, (1974) called "Colony Earth" by Richard E. Mooney. In it he mentions but does not elaborate this point. He says there is 'ample geological evidence to suggest that during its first two billion years Earth was tidally locked to the sun' and 'for reasons unknown' began to spin after than. His thesis seem to be that we were 'planted' here at some time some how. (I'm reading it now but have not gotten far along).
The tidally locked idea also is mentioned by David Talbot in regard to Saturn: Earth, Mars, and Venus were once tidally locked with Saturn. Something happened to change all this.
Different authors, different times, tidal locking, something causing this phase to end, something causing axial spin. Perhaps what we are looking at are events widely separated in time, each with different results. But looking at the remaining evidence, we see them, at present, as one event? Ask TVF if this might be a possibility, if the underlying physics also altered? The physics constants today may not be constants at all - there was a drastic altering of early universe physics from those we see today.
Repost 4
cryptosemiotician:
Would mutual tidal orbit affect gravity enough to enable the dinosaurs to stand up ?
Yes, if they were living on the side of the Earth away from the body Earth was tidally locked on. Gravity would be slightly less. See: 'Cradle of Saturn' by James P. Hogan for a more detailed explanation. It is also interesting to note that the geological reconstuctions of early Earth's land-masses have most of the mass on one side of the planet.
Repost 5
Tim,
There are several vehicles - the concept is to use medium (35ton) CEV lift for crew and some cargo, heavy (55ton) CEV for more crew room and larger packages. However the real lifting would be dome by automated unmanned heavy lift vehicles - 100ton. All would use existing parts and work forces. Each of these concepts could be put in service relatively quickly and at low cost. All the vehicles are designed to evolve into larger ones with more capacity. The idea is to get the job done, safely, cheaply and efficiently. This heavy lift concept would, with each launch, put more stuff into orbit then 4 shuttles.
And since the design is from the private sector, would eventually stop using massive amount of your tax dollars for each launch. I saw the hearings to come up with the next CEV. One fellow testified that one non-intrusive plaque anywhere on or in the CEV would (to start) bring in over one million dollars in NET revenue. This had long ago been presented to NASA, but there was no mechanism to track the money: the money would have gone directly to the Treasury Dept. and not to NASA. There was an initial recommendation for Congress to address this problem, but I have no idea if it was brought up.
Repost 6
RCH said:
>Also remember: now, according to the way these people think, the "enemy" is US!!!<
Perhaps we should change our blog names to "Enemy Agent # XX" or the like :)
Feel free to delete this if there is conversation in other comments:
They Sing the Comet Electric
"Dissident scientists advocating a controversial theory of the universe are having a field day in the wake of NASA's Deep Impact comet collision earlier this month."
Second to last paragraph:
"Answers to the surprises of Deep Impact and the credibility of the Electric Universe theory will have to wait until NASA releases X-ray readings, spectroscopic analysis and other detailed data during the $333 million mission. These are expected in a few months. [Emphasis added]"
Bruno said...
>Ugh,
>Sorry but I just can't hang on any longer...although I so badly want to.
>Something in my gut says that the 8/1 blog and this one leave way too many questions unanswered and has led us right back to where we started: mission gone bad because of faulty engineering and improper/sloppy implementation.
>As both an engineer(trained/employed) and a musican, the two don't really mix well; and so it seems unlikely that Mr Hale has either the time or the inclination to so "wisely" choose the music...(hence my gut feeling??)
>K, so I'll stick it out, but my skepticism has increased.
>I'll check back after STS-114 has completed.<
Sorry, but your communciation is TOTALLY unclear.
What don't you believe: that Hale PERSONALLY chose that music? Why is that even important (so, he directed that the crew be TOLD that ...)?
The "message" is in the MUSIC -- from "someone" in NASA able to get it up to the crew, and to get it explained officially TWICE -- connecting "Enterprise" and this current Shuttle Mission.
That lets us know that we are being watched ... including what WE"RE watching -- and THAT'S what matters here.
We still have our own information on this "Plan," and the capability to act on that if something "should go wrong."
Am I still concerned? Of course, given all that we have seen. But, less so than I was before ... now that our own watchdog efforts have been OFFICIALLY acknowledged.
This would only add to the problems NASA will have, if this does NOT go right .... So there's no percentage in doing this (acknowledge Enterprise) ... to then STILL go ahead with such a Plan, is there?
What, if anything, am I missing? Be SPECIFIC -- please.
Ok. So Wayne Hale is sending messages based on your blog?
I'm about to pee my pants from laughing so hard.
I can see the meeting at NASA now.
Hale - RCH is on to us.
Griffin - Ok. Ok. Don't panic. Play this music to wake up the crew. Here's what you say.
Hale - Mikey is the cabal still a go?
Griffin - It's on hold until the heat from RCH dies down.
OK, If NASA grounds the space shuttle (which I hope they do) what would be used for large payloads? The CEV concepts look too small to be use for anything of size. What is NASA looking for in a replacement craft? About the music I would say Nasa keeps an eye on you Richard and they just might have sent you a little hint. Here is a plan ground the shuttle build your new CEV than find a way to fix the foam.
High level communications through symbolic code is how i would talk in this situation. Sound's hopeful to me. I made my prediction and I'm standing by it.
Bubba hyde said...
>Ok. So Wayne Hale is sending messages based on your blog?
>I'm about to pee my pants from laughing so hard.<
OK, let's hear YOUR explanation. Rememeber: it has to fit ALL the current data ... and make SPECIFIC new predictions (as with any scientific hypothesis) .. .which ours does.
And ... you have a LOT of folks watching, to see if you miss anything. :)
Hey, Richard I know you have allot going on with NASA, but do have any plans on doing a Coral Castle update?
Richard: You are safe either way: If Shuttle disintegrates in space, it will confirm what you have said all along. If it arrives safely, the enterprise vocals have been heard and the memo was loud enough for the cabal to hold back.
I think Richard is less concerned about his reputation than is sincerely is for the lives of those currently in space.
Spys and other higher intellects play games to see who can communicate the most information with the least words or actions. It's a ballet that goes right over the heads of lower intellects. As long as you don't let it turn into an attitude of elitism, it's fun to do.
SunKing,
If you read the first part of this Posting thread, you would know Richard asked me to repost them on this tread. Sorry you were forced to read twice.
ah....but there's the rub, wayne5!
The folks so often doing it ARE elitists by definition...they think they know something that others DON'T! LOL!
Someone made the comment in an earlier post on why Hale would go along with the plan and make the announcement himself. I'm sure many readers who are engineers will realise that engineers are very rarely in charge, someways below bean counters, PR people, and bearucrats in fact. Hale fits exactly the man to act as a fall guy carrying this bad news. Hes not the first guy taken off the coal face, poured into a suit and sent out to do managements dirty business.
Current data? Where is there ANY data that Hale's choice of music is a message to you? Let's start there.
Facts that the shuttle will return safely and fly again? I got some.
1) NASA wants to use existing shuttle technology to build, launch and support the CEV. Ground it and you make all of that technology suspect as well as overnight destroying the manned flight infrastructure from the VAB to the launch pads.
2) Ground the shuttle and thousands lose jobs wrecking local economies all over the US. Politically, that doesn't translate well for Congressmen seeking re-election and would make any budget increase let alone avoiding decreases next to impossible to overcome.
I agree with much of what you have to say and mean no disrespect but stepping off the deep end to insinuate that NASA is doing things based on what you post is a definite stretch. It only serves to belittle the many plausible theories that you present IMHO.
PS - I am looking forward to your appearance on Coast on Sunday.
AH! Then do forgive me! My error!
TIm Brooks, go look at the http://www.safesimplesoon.com/ site. No foam problems and more lift cheaper. Go through the site and it will be clear that the image you saw was the medium lift CEV 48-55k lb. The heavy lift CEV goes to 65k lb. Real heavy lifting done by unmanned - 170k lb to 240k lb vehicles.
Is it possible that Hale probably just liked the song.
Personally when I saw the intro to the Enterpise TV series, I was impressed by the inspirational tone of it.
Maybe you are just seeing the image virgin Mary in the windows of a building. (It think that was in Miami a few years back.)
As for grounding the shuttles, they can land it safely and still make their case for mothballing the fleet. They can point to the fact that with all they work invested in the last 2 1/2 years, there were still problems with the foam, stuffing between the tiles coming out, the thermal blanket issues,... They can glorify the astronauts by saying that they landed the shuttle against all odds but it is now too risky to launch another one again.
A few ramblings:
The stuffing probably came loose on every previous flight. It probably just burns off early during re-entry. They just never looked at the underbelly before this flight.
Didn't they use to keep the "skin" resulting from the foam curing on earlier flight? I hear that they shave that skin off now. Probably to save weight. With my limited experience with household insulating foam I know that once you break that skin the inside is fairly brittle but with the skin on, the stuff is fairly resilient. (Yes, I know that the foam on the tank is completely different but it must have some similarities.)
Sometime the topics get a little too "conspirational" here. But it makes for interesting reading. Most importantly, at least people are interested and they care. If Man doesn't get off this mudball, he will not survive. As a species, we have this energy like a 5 year old after eating his holloween candy. If we do not expend this energy on exploration, we focus it internally and it usually results in war.
Richard, when you started this blog you knew there would be us folk with our pyramid hats on and even others that would make you spit. They are not your judge, you are. Let me remind you of that
which you know so well, don't become the thing you hate. Besides not all the cool chicks go out with football players.
Well said sunking, I'm 54 and the older I get the more I know, I don't know much.
PIF said...
(TIm Brooks, go look at the http://www.safesimplesoon.com/)
I understand that getting the stuff up there can be done unmanned, but what about maintenance and adding on to ISS or just all the stuff a robots can not yet do. Would they lanch a rocket to put the stuff up there then a 2nd lanch to get the people up there? I'm all for a shuttle replacement but replace it with something that can do the same job and more. Don't trade in your old but working car for a bike. They should try to build the shuttle they wanted in the 1st place, one that can be reuse, low maintenance, and have a quick turn around. Build something that will show the world that the US still has the big stick in the mud!
Richard C.H said:
*****What to play as a "wake-up song" to the astronauts on an on-going Shuttle Mission -- with the entire world watching and listening -- definitely qualifies, for all its apparent lightheartedness, as a "political" decision.*****
Richard you are killing me man, I mean I'm and the people around me are laughing so hard that our faces are about to explode. I don't even know what to say at this point.
Wake up songs as political decision? What is next? The color of Wayne Hale's trousers as a landing flag for a shuttle?
The whole world is watching what wake up song was played? Yeah, I hear Président de la République française Jacques Chirac and members of US Congress were waken up 5 minutes before the song was played, so that they don't miss this "important" event.
Richard, you are awesome and I love your work, but you got to stop mistaken science fiction and movies for reality.
Tim,
I think, but not sure, that if they were to go with the original Air Force design - putting a very diferent designed shuttle on top of the heavy lift booster - that the costs and time involved might be much more that going with something new. Also I think the safesimple medium lift CEV carries same or more that current shuttle pay load. As for the crew compartment - what does it matter what design it uses as long as it does the job safely and effiecently? Why go back to 60's tech by using the Air Force design?
Richard, whew!!! another Blog...
incredible work...
and well spotted...
My fingers are starting to wear out :))
Enterprise and ground hog day music...
It fits the NUMEROLOGICAL consistancies and other coincidences with this and temple 1 mission.
Yes, I can see how a song, as obscure and innocent as it might SOUND, is actually a message, covert...
...ancient and fits with signalling apparent today 9/11, 7/7/7 etc...
Staying tuned...
Alert and can I have some of your coffee please Richard?
Keeping up is a 24.9 hour job :))
J aka 'Brian'
NASA must get out of the launch business! Did the NACA get into the airline business? Thank God no! NASA should have the job of doing basic research and making the results available to all. Let the likes of Burt Rutan and others get into the business of space launching. Then watch the costs come down!
Send the shuttle up with its cargo in an automated configuration and have the ISS crew enter the shuttle after it docks..automation people....is it plausible? The russians can send up the crews to the ISS and the shuttle can be a heavy lifter that will eventually explode but with no crew no harm no foul.
"Faith Of The Heart" was NOT written specifically for the "Enterprise" show. It originally appeared in the movie "Patch Adams"
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0129290/soundtrack
RCH's assertion that Hale's choice of music has symbolic meaning is not just based on his speculation, it's based on what he claims an inside source at NASA has expicitly confirmed.
Thus to deny it, is to assert that either Richard is lying about his source, or his source is mistaken/lying.
In other words, it may be prudent to weigh the veracity of this claim, based on how much you trust RCH and his source, NOT based on how plausible, a priori, you think the actual concept is... which seems to be the tack some are taking. Just a thought.
gilligan
trying new name & password
Jasgrave, thx for password help
unipax
(formerly gilligan)
trying new password.
professor x: sounds like you have not been keeping up over the years.
re morse blinking: Yeah, but would they risk the consequences of 'speaking out' publicly in any manner? Maybe they would, if they feel their lives in danger.
I feel for those astronauts being treated like pawns.
aloha,c
unipax
yeah, really looks and feels like we're seeing results (again)
of watchdogging.
PIF said...
Tim,
I think, but not sure, that if they were to go with the original Air Force design
No NO NO, not the original design just original goals. The space shuttle is an awesome failure. It was suppose to be cheap low maintenance and I forget what the turn around time was going to be, but It has been way off the original goal. The Shuttle works but failed to meet all but one goal. It is not cheap, not low maintenance and, takes a long time between launches. The only goal it meet was that it did make to space.
Greetings Mr Hoagland.
Some may say that your efforts are wasted, but they are not viewing the big picture.
Way back in 94 when I first heard you and bought your book this may have been true, you were just a voice crying in the wilderness.
But in the intervening decade, a little thing known as the web has grown up around us.
Today the ten percent of humans who have at least some ability to think, and are at least semi aware of the world around them get a most of their news off the internet. In the realm of off world awareness you do have a presence today, an effect of the people in charge of off world exploration.
I have been publishing a blog for a few months now and have learned something that may be of some use to you.
A blog is a marathon, not a sprint.
The huge in depth articles are nice, but try some pacing, take advantage of the friendly relaxed format of blog space. I know a lot of us who are great fans of yours and idealize you to some degree, (as much as this group of misfit oddball outcasts can ever have anything remotely resembling a hero), and we would like to know about your lunch, how you spent the weekend.
Daily ‘light’ postings all so have the beneficial effect of spreading out the comments so you don’t end up with over 300 per post, thereby causing fellow bloggers to turn green with envy because they are scraping by with maybe 1 or 2 comments a day and don’t even know why they even try…
Speaking of, the latest entry to my blog features one of the few artifact piles found up in the hills by Mars Spirit Rover so far;
http://marsrelaystation.blogspot.com/
Wayne5,
I'm 50 and feel the same way.
I cannot remember where I originally heard it (Heinlien?) but that the first step on the path of wisdom is realizing you know nothing!
If THAT's the case, I'm loaded with wisdom!!!
Thanks!
Tim, I believe the original goals were derived from the original design, just updated for the current shuttle - a compromise and an experiment. If an experment (the shuttle) does not produce the expected results, there must be some problem with the model. If the claims did not pan out, then perhaps they were just a sales pitch and wild hopes.
The safesimplesoon design seems to meet all the original criteria - on paper at least. Can you propose a better model than safesimplesoon? I can not see what you would have against their proposal, absent a better design. Unfortuately the Report of the President's Commission on Implementation of United States Space Exploration Policy is no longer avaiiable - but in the hearing testimony I watched, overwhelming testimony was for a totally new design for many reasons.
Yep "If THAT's the case, I'm loaded with wisdom!!!"
ditto...
Yep, Richard, you are providing inspiration to this band of woken up bloggers...
Gilligan, no problems, spent some years honing my hacking skills in the early days...
Sheesh passwords were the hardest and sometimes the easiest...
That's how I came to work for the IP and TCP Security TAC support section at Cisco many years ago...
it's useful to know these things...
Richard is your source reading your blogs here?
Does he have any more insight or data to add to the previous blogs...
or is the confirmation by the music track, confirmation we are all in part on the correct trail...
i.e. leading to some dark shaddowy power, starting to react?
J aka 'Brian'
On Richard's and other's comments about various operations using revloutionary tech:
I have always thought it curious that nothing revolutionary has been discovered since the 40s. Like zip for 60 years. Sure the computer has come along, gotten very small (the first known computer was used by the ancient Greeks), communication has improved, but none of this and other things are in themsleves as revoultionary as the auto, plane, electric light, radio, and so forth. Has mankind become incapeable of revolutionary discoveries or are they hidden because they might be too dangerous or too unsettling?
Just a thought.
pif said:
>"TV series "Enterprise" was just cancelled." Yeah, and deservedly so. It has long sucked. Like its predessors. There was no larger theme - just hohum bad guys doing who knows what, for reasons unknown. Characters were very weak and some seemed just eye-candy.<
And what's wrong with eye-candy?
I have to whole-heartedly disagree with you about Enterprise being cancelled "deservedly so." After today, it is almost a crime that the short-sighted idiotic morons at UPN cancelled the only series that has continuously for 40 years inspired people to look up and dream of a better future for humanity!
Arguably rivalling TNG, it had some great stories and elegantly connecting NASA to the Star Trek universe with the uniforms that the officers wore.
Because of this it is also very symbolic that NASA would use this theme song.
A bit of topic but I had to say something...:)
PIF said...
(Can you propose a better model than safesimplesoon?)
What ever happen to the Venture Star reuseable shuttle program?
Richard,
You were talking about scientific predictions. What I'm not clear about is what exactly you are predicting? On one hand you are saying that there's a plot to down shuttle on landing. On another hand you're saying that they seem to be doing pretty good. Which is it?
And does it not make sense that if they really wanted to cause problems they would not attempt to repair the shuttle in orbit? Why not just play down the risk or mess with the picture? If they are messing with Mars pictures and other data it doesn't seem consistent that assuming they want to mess up shuttle on landing they would be putting so much effort into making sure that there's nothing wrong with it.
What am I missing here?
Richard,
Well you have certainly stirred up the blog followers with your Wayne Hale music choice theory. I have never seen the responses so split on agreeing or disagreeing with you. I must say I am intrigued that he chose the Enterprise theme song (btw: I am among the few who liked it and thought it fit the show) considering the many inspirational songs of many genres. I myself would think one of the songs from the Apollo 13 movie would be more inspirational because that would send the messages "they came home, and so will you", or "we are giving our all just like we did when Lovell's crew needed us". I'm not sure Enterprise's theme song is even inspirational for this aspect. But I digress.
I'm wondering why you haven't blogged on Discovery Channel's airing of their Deep Impact Documentary broadcasted on Sunday. You had mentioned it in an earlier blog, so I assumed there would be info in there that you would comment on. I found many hints that the whole thing was NASA controlled, and here are some: A. Unlike mentioning the whole project expense of 333 million as seen in many other news outlets, i.e. EnterpriseMission and on CNN and wired.com, they summed it up at $330 mil. Okay, not a big detail, but we are talking 3 mil here, not 30 cents. B. They showed how one of the camera lenses had cracked at test during build, but nothing of the in-mission bluriness and the algorithm fix that made imaging clearer when DI was on it's way to Tempel 1, or the recent statment from NASA that all the images are blurry. C. They didn't mention anything about the data return. Unless I was in the bathroom, I didn't here anything about image data or spectral data and when and if it would be released. They didn't even talk about what IR devices were installed at build and how data gained from those devices would help scientists. All though they did breifly state that this mission would tell scientists what a comet was really maded of. But confusing and somewhat contrary if you don't tell how data gathered will confirm\deny\bewilder current comet theories.
What I did hear over and over, was how succesful the mission was. But it seemed they were basing this glory solely on hitting Tempel 1 with the impactor. I'm certainly not belittling that feat, NASA obviously has some talented, intelligent and skilled engineers who so deserve a pat on the back for that accomplishment. But to say the mission was a success? That's like saying the Allies' mission was successful in 1944 when they stormed Normandy beach. No, they were successful because they accomplished that AND broke the Natzi grip on western Europe. What good is a probe impacting a comet if no data is returned or all of the images captured are blurry? If that is the case, my boss owes me a raise simply for showing up to work! RCH - your thoughts and take on Discovery's doc?
unipax here
prof x: with all due respect i think what you are missing is the presence of corruption, as in conspiracy, lies and disinformation.
aloha
Richard: Check out this blog entry from a reputable and intelligent Canadian journalist:
Bureaucratic murder in space?
Disclaimer - Offtopic Star-Trek/sci-fi post:
I used to watch TNG when it was out. Then I discovered Babylon 5 in the nineties, and frankly have found most Star Trek nearly unwatchable ever since... the episodes just seem so trite and contrived when compared to an epic, continuing story arc like B5. This is not to take away from Trek's inspirational and optimistic presentation of the future, which is quite visionary; I just don't think it makes for the most interesting television anymore.
The parallels in B5 with today's world are quite striking. The assassination of the President at the end of season 1 (an inside job) can be seen as a 9/11 event, which is used by the government as a means to a powergrab, clamping down on civil liberties, and a slide towards police-state facism... sound familiar?
These days I'm really digging the new Battlestar Galactica. :)
As I had asked before:
Do ground control and astranauts fold their hands and pray for safe arrival? Or is there orders coming from above which will subject this mission into doing something else that nobody finds any rationale in doing but can't help themselves in not doing?
NEWS INDICATES ANOTHER SPACE WALK IS NEEDED ON FRIDAY.......
The song was originally in Patch Adams? Oh, that's hilarious. What kind of message is he really sending? Get it - patch, as in, patch the shuttle. Patch Adams, a doctor in a clown suit. Oh brother.
Speaking of patching,
Mission Control informed the crew there was a chance that a fourth spacewalk might be needed Friday to deal with a torn thermal blanket below a cockpit window.
And while he's there, he can check the oil and top off the radiator.
Can I have the key to the restroom, Mr. Hale?
All seriousness aside, the intro music for Enterprise sucked. If someone chose that music to wake me up, I'd think he hated my guts.
Tim,
It was cancelled after at least a year behind schedule and hundreds of millions in cost overruns. Lockhead only made a half scale model of the X33.
---
And the Show in question should have had writers to match the theme song. Not carp about the song not matching the aimless plot which bogged down after season one due to poor writing.
epic, continuing story arc like B5
That's what killed Enterprise - an attempt to create an epic, continuing story arc. The great thing about the original Star Trek and TNG was that most episodes stood alone. I get sick of seeing To Be Continued at the end of every show - come on. As Monty Python said, "Get on with it!" When Enterprise confined itself to a single episode, or at worst, a two-parter, was when it was at its best. Of course, my wife hated it because T'Pol was always sticking her boobs in everybody's face.
Heavens, those Vulcan women have really good posture!
OPEN THREAD PLEASE!
unipax here
Dear coincidence theorists,
especially for the skeptical. Maybe some of you guys just haven't done your homework. I think you know who you are. Here's a thought about the music choice:
RCH bloggged;
"I mean, what were the odds that, of all the possible songs on the planet which could have been radioed up to wake the crew -- just a few hours after an "Enterprise" blog appeared specifically discussing Mr. Hale's role in a VERY dubious Shuttle management decision -- this very individual would then select the only theme specifically written for the television series "Enterprise" to wake that very crew??!! "
Try put it another way. If there was not a coded nod to EM watchdogging, THAT song would damn sure be the LAST song they'd choose, because of course they ARE paying attention.
Aha, perhaps then it is disinformation you say?
(backpedaling from staunch coincidentalism ?)
I suppose that's always a possibility, what with the "hall of mirrors" and all. (thanx to Linda Moulton Howe for that phrase).
However, (no pun) considering the record, combined with current circumstances, I'll rule out disinfo this time.
aloha, c
unipax here,
(gilligan is out gathering coconuts for lunch)
Jasgrave: re my sense of the music 'playlist', please see my recent post.
Jasgrave; Yes, my education and worldview have been greatly enhanced by Richard's work and by his sources/associates. These include, and I will probably misspell a few ; Van Flandern, Kepler, Terebey, Dipietro, Molinaar, DePalma, Tesla, Tom Bearden, Begitch, Thompson, Maxwell, and more & more.
Jas, have you read the Hyper Dimensional basics? If not, the following link worked for me:
The Enterprise Mission - Hubble's New Runaway Planet - Part I
(of course there are many more)
aloha, c
I gotta admit though, this "NASA sending a coded message to EM" does kinda sound Inspector Clouseau-sish.
Ah, the old coded-message-through-the-wake-up-call ploy. Very clever.
Kato!
unipax here
gerald t :
Thanx, and yes, agreed RCH is a hero, in my experience.
and gerald, re "oddball outcasts", yeah sometimes a little lonely, especially when you attempt to share the info with others and what you get back is THE SMIRK. That is why I am thankful for the sense of community I feel here in this blog.
The meaning of the word 'hero' to me is amplified when one grasps the historical and global scope, depth and of the corruption being exposed by EM & crew. And of course there are others to credit. And thank god for the internet !
aloha, c
I was going to let Richards most recent posting slide... But I feel compelled to at least add my 2 cents worth.
No offense, but I have a very hard time believing that the song picked this morning has anything to do with a deeper or hidden message as extrapolated in the blog. In faithfully reading the comments section, I have seen many regular EM posters say the same thing in regard to today's posting. I also appreciate and understand what Brian C said in defense. In any event, I just find the whole topic/posting a bit of a stretch.
As any good investigator/scientist does, I try to observe as much as possible, remain impassionate, fully reasoning, and of course seek the truth. In this latest posting, I feel that the facts are stretched thin at best, and not quite ready for 'prime-time'. It also posits an easy out for either scenario - mission failure OR success.
I guess my point is - Stay on point and don't be distracted by the white noise and potential (or even inevitable) smokescreens.
Respectfully,
unipax here
Sorry meant to say;
The meaning of the word 'hero' to me is amplified when one grasps the historical and global scope, depth and IMPLICATIONS of the corruption being exposed by EM & crew. Precisely because of the implications, I feel that when truth and justice are delivered to this issue, the world and humanity will truly transform in many ways. And of course there are others to credit. And thank god for the internet !
aloha, c
unipax here
to rob from dc;
how about this? :
Try put it another way. If there was not a coded nod to EM watchdogging, THAT song would damn sure be the LAST song they'd choose, because of course they ARE paying attention.
Aha, perhaps then it is disinformation you say?
(backpedaling from staunch coincidentalism ?)
OMFs24 said..."...And while he's there, he can check the oil and top off the radiator."
LMAO that was brutal...
poor s0ds...
J aka 'Brian'
unipax ... gilligan ... whatever the hell my name is
jasgrave, correction for jasgrave(and anyone else interested in hyperdimensional basics)hee is the correct website: http://www.enterprisemission.com/hyper1.html
aloha ,c
Aloha Unipax, thanks for filling in for Gilligan, tell him he can have some bleeding coconuts from this island if he's short of a few...
...We've had hundreds of them wash up since all these hurricanes have been blowing through and I 'aint talking bout da drink!
Yep I hear u, I dont yet understand all the musical references, but I catch your drift, it's extensive and insightful...
I hear yr insightful Sinicism to OMFs24...
I guess we are not going to know till the day it's set to arrive back here on earth...
Then once and for all the truth will be told...
But it's still an intriguing and prominent linkage in the DOTS...
PS OMFs24 Love the PP grew up with PSellers yep cut my teeth on Monty Python, Pink Panther, James Bond et all the good old British movies... sigh...
J aka 'Brian'
the old man from scene 24 said...
"That's what killed Enterprise - an attempt to create an epic, continuing story arc. The great thing about the original Star Trek and TNG was that most episodes stood alone."
It is a matter of taste, to be sure, and of course the tradeoff of adding a continuing arc is that it makes the show much harder to get into for newcomers.
However, continuous arc shows can be extremely successful if done well... witness Keifer Sutherland's "24".
unipax here
gilligan is now out by his smoky coconut husk fire, frantically signalling the space sisters for rescue.
Richard, hope you don't mind the accolades to you that I wrote above to gerald t.
As 'gilligan' mentioned earlier, you are a mentor. That's why I nicknamed you 'skipper'. Hope you don't mind that either. I think it is kinda fun. After all, it is THE CAPTAIN'S blog . :-) pander, pander, pander. What the hell. Not exactly pander, since I just checked Webster's dictionary.
Your work opened my eyes to what's going on around us. Like a rosetta stone. Note that I resisted saying 'like a rolling stone', even though I have a genetic (irish) weakness for corn laden language. Thanx again, sibling.
aloha, c
unipax
hey gerald t,
great pics of tailings.
and good pic of thet thar scrungy ole prospector :)
aloha, c
Chops said...
>Thanks Richard,
>For the Blog - and the opportunity it affords so many of us to keep a KEEN eye on things going on...and, thanks to your sleep-deprived efforts, virtually in REAL TIME!<
Don't get spoiled! This CANNOT continue at this pace ... after Eileen and her crew get home safely. Fortunately ... it won't HAVE to. :)
unipax
jas, you said u dont quite understand the musical references.
nasa mission chief hale responded to EM watchdogging by choosing a song named 'enterprise' for shuttle crew. Details are at:
http://www.enterprisemission.com/weblog/weblog/htm
aloha, c
"Anonymous said...
unipax ... gilligan ... whatever the hell my name is
jasgrave, correction for jasgrave(and anyone else interested in hyperdimensional basics)hee is the correct website: http://www.enterprisemission.com/hyper1.html
aloha ,c
3/8/05 4:06 PM "
Thanks Gilligan Uniplex, et all, I'm detecting Island fever, yep we get that here too, and that's not coconut smoke ;) might wanna tie a piece of rope round Gilligans ankle, :))
Thank you for the Hyperdimensional link, yep I'm well up and into that. I wrote a part blong on Angels and Wind and the 'theory' that the great superbeing 'God' aka YHWH aka FIVE 5 is errm controling tings!!!
4 5's seem to be the key but Seven Fives are THE KEY Rev 5:5 ;)
I've no doubt whatsoever left that tings right now r as prophesied, gonna sing the drinking song Brian'ised version...
"I'm not the doom bringer I'm the doom bringers son, I'm just here prophesying doom till the doom bringer comes..."
J aka 'Life of Brian' :)
unipax
Richard, Hear you re the pace.
And re getting 'spoiled'.
Didn't you wanna get back to Iapetus part 7 :) ?
aloha, c
Unipax, heard you...
Anonymous said...
unipax
jas, you said u dont quite understand the musical references.
nasa mission chief hale responded to EM watchdogging by choosing a song named 'enterprise' for shuttle crew. Details are at:
http://www.enterprisemission.com/weblog/weblog/htm
aloha, c
3/8/05 4:39 PM
I hear you... it wasnt that, it was this long list of names, I've spent so many hours researching things these last three months, that I nearly fainted when I saw I hadn't even touched the surface with your long list of names here;
These include, and I will probably misspell a few ; Van Flandern, Kepler, Terebey, Dipietro, Molinaar, DePalma, Tesla, Tom Bearden, Begitch, Thompson, Maxwell, and more & more.
Jas, have you read the Hyper Dimensional basics? If not, the following link worked for me:
The Enterprise Mission - Hubble's New Runaway Planet - Part I
(of course there are many more)
I went arrrrggghhhh... more research, so it was a subtle way of saying, I'll look into it later :)
but I thought I caught your drift...
I'll errrm continue smoking the grass growing around the palm tree's out there :)
J aka 'Brian'
unipax
jas no worries re the list of names.
they are mostly on the few pages of that HyperD website.
I mostly mentioned that for readers that are bewildered/skeptical cuz they don't yet have the info.
And I'm no expert. I'm just a student, reading, trying to stay a couple steps ahead of the island fever you correctly diagnosed.
aloha, c
Anonymous said...
>NASA determined that the exposed ceramic-fiber fillers could lead to overheating and a possible repeat of Columbia's disastrous re-entry. Thus two potentially dangerous strips of protruding filler from Discovery's tile belly were pulled. WHat next? Do ground control and astranauts fold their hands and pray for safe arrival? Or is there orders coming from above which will subject this mission into doing something else that nobody finds any rationale in doing but can't help themselves in not doing?<
It's called "death by a thousand cuts ..." Totally consistent with what we've been told is REALLY going on, preparatory to junking the ENTIRE Shuttle Program.
Just as long as it doesn't jeopardize the lives of THIS crew ....
Richard said..
>"It's called "death by a thousand cuts ..."
Make that 1001.
Just saw on the wire that yet ANOTHER snafu pending with a torn thermal blanket..
sheesh..
Telepath said...
>Though I'm a stauch supporter for manned spaceflight, I've long thought that the space station itself was a boondoggle. Simultaneously now --as you've pointed out-- the shuttle fleet is indeed based on obsolete technology and increasingly difficult to maintain.
>But now we have this goal of a return to the Moon and, possibly, a 'cabal' within NASA which may be trying to find some means of backing out of the whole sorry mess that the station/shuttle fleet (as a packaged deal) now represents.
>For the sake of balance, I therefore have to ask: Isn't it possible that you might be backing the wrong horse??
>Of course, I don't really know enough to actually know what I'm talking about --but if the new goal is a return to the Moon (which I strongly endorse, myself), and the space program badly needs the funds for the new technology (new ships!) required to accomplish this goal, how could that reasonably be accomplished without the immediate termination of the current priorities? Wouldn't a string of possibly exaggerated concerns actually be the most effective and (diplomatic) strategy?<
It ALL depends on HOW it's done ... and the safety of the crew.
I actually agree: the Fleet should be retired ASAP, and the new systems brought on line. The creation of the Shuttle/Station combination -- and their almost "codependence" (in the most negative connotations of that word) -- was done in a TOTALLY different political environment. It's time to retire this wonderful but aging vehicle ....
BUT--
This MUST NOT involve another catastrophic "accident" which loses another crew!!!
Justin said...
>Ddidnt know if you guys saw this yet..
>http://www.wired.com/news/space/0,2697,68258,00.html<
Thanks.
Wait til we publish OUR model .... :)
PIF said...
>ON the email blog paste issue: Solved.
>I emailed the current blog to myself. What the emailer sees before sending is not a problem, since the email contains only a link to the blog.<
Terrific work.
Now ... want a job in Houston? We've apparently got an "in" .... :)
PIF said...
>Templemaster333, RCH:
>>The additional fact that these are adjacent planets makes me very suspicious that these planets were once locked in a MUTUAL tidal embrace.<<
>There is an old book, (1974) called "Colony Earth" by Richard E. Mooney. In it he mentions but does not elaborate this point. He says there is 'ample geological evidence to suggest that during its first two billion years Earth was tidally locked to the sun' and 'for reasons unknown' began to spin after than. His thesis