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Topics => Science, Technology, & Medicine => Topic started by: rickl on August 03, 2011, 06:24:06 PM

Title: Texas drought reveals space shuttle Columbia tank debris
Post by: rickl on August 03, 2011, 06:24:06 PM
Quote
CAPE CANAVERAL — Wreckage from shuttle Columbia was uncovered in East Texas this week, the result of a prolonged drought lowering water levels in a lake.

The spherical tank, which is about four feet in diameter, is stuck in the mud alongside Lake Nacogdoches.

More than 40 tons of wreckage rained down on a long swath of East Texas and Louisiana as Columbia disintegrated during its atmospheric re-entry in February 2003, killing all seven astronauts.

Lisa Malone, a spokeswoman for NASA's Kennedy Space Center, said the tank was part of Columbia's power-producing fuel cell system.

Link (http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20110803/NEWS02/108030326/Texas-drought-reveals-space-shuttle-Columbia-tank-debris) (hat tip Ace of Spades)

(http://cmsimg.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A9&Date=20110803&Category=NEWS02&ArtNo=108030326&Ref=AR&MaxW=640&Border=0)
Title: Re: Texas drought reveals space shuttle Columbia tank debris
Post by: AlanS on August 03, 2011, 06:54:39 PM
I'm surprised they haven't found more pieces at Toledo Bend. It's roughly 10' below low pool. Lot's of barren ground there now.
Title: Re: Texas drought reveals space shuttle Columbia tank debris
Post by: rickl on August 03, 2011, 07:00:19 PM
I'm sure people are looking for them now.
Title: Re: Texas drought reveals space shuttle Columbia tank debris
Post by: benb61 on August 07, 2011, 01:19:19 PM
That tank was full of hydrazine, a very toxic fuel.  I'm amazed that there are not a lot of animal skeletons around that lake.  Just a little of this stuff will turn your insides to liquid.