Topic: Space Shuttle hit by hail 1999

[Jimmy Deguara]

I never knew about the space shuttle having one of the flights delayed as a result of the effects of a hailstorm!

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/hail-scuttles-shuttle/2007/02/28/1172338665421.html

Regards,

Jimmy Deguara

[Harley Pearman]

Hello

This is a little more common than people realise. In my book "Extreme Weather" 2007 by H Michael Mogil, a picture is provided on Page 152 of the space shuttle Atlantis hit by hail as it sat on the launch pad at Cape Kennedy on February 27, 2007.

The article states:-

"On February 27 2007, large hail (Up to the size of golf balls) pummelled the Space Shuttle Atlantis on the launch pad at Cape Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The hail put more than 7,000 dings into the foam covered fuel tank and caused a launch delay of more than 3 months while the damage was repaired and the space craft inspected for safety. According to Wayne Hale (Perfect last name) the shuttle's program manager, the storm did the worst damage we've ever seen from hail".

Harley Pearman

[Steven]

Whoa, what a streak of bad luck! Why do they even launch in Florida anyway?

It's constantly lashed by thunderstorms, about 100 days per year. According to a book I read.

Steven

[Richary]

Whoa, what a streak of bad luck! Why do they even launch in Florida anyway?

Launches are easier the closer to the equator you are (at least if trying to put the spacecraft into a roughly equatorial orbit. The velocity of the earth's rotation gives you a big boost that otherwise you would need to gain by using more fuel.

Anf of course Florida is about as far south as the USA comes. I am sure details would be on something like wikipedia as to the actual amount of help.

[Michael Bath]

The SMH article and the quote from the book are of the same event - 27th Feb 2007. The article then goes on to mention hail events in 1990 and 1999.


MB

[Peter J]

Whoa, what a streak of bad luck! Why do they even launch in Florida anyway?

It's constantly lashed by thunderstorms, about 100 days per year. According to a book I read.

Steven

Also i think the main reason to launch from Florida is the flight pattern normally takes the shuttle thru the right window for space travel - it is a pity that the best place to launch for space is where the most frequent number of lightning storms occur.

Big Pete