Space Exploration: Should the Recent Columbia disaster stop us from going further in space?

By: Aakash Ravi,  (freelance writer)

         On February 1st, 2003, history repeated itself, and it wasn't the happiest of scenes. At Approximately 63.1 kilometers above the smooth patch of runway at Cape Canaveral, Florida, far from the feel of solid ground and the cries of awe from the crowd, came a white trail, parts splintering off as it moved across the sky. At a speed of Mach 18.3 (or eighteen times the speed of sound) it came ripping through Texas airspace in the blazing heat of 1848 degrees Celsius. Although it created a memorable spectacle, the horror was quick. That trail of disintegration was the Space shuttle Columbia. It was down.

The newest and most disastrous chronicle in the space age could cause major setbacks in space exploration for many years to come. This disaster, its causes and the reasons holds the fate of NASA's future in the space programs. For the families of the Challenger victims, this accident forces them into the grim memories of the past, back seventeen years, when the space shuttle Challenger exploded after liftoff, killing all seven astronauts on board.

With NASA's reputation tarnished and people living in skepticism on the safety of space travel, the future of space exploration seems to look uncertain. NASA is willing to conduct a thorough investigation of the accident, but it is determined to move on. It does not want to let the deaths of the Columbia’s astronauts be in vain.

As for the Columbia tragedy, NASA officials are now saying that a piece of foam insulation came off the external fuel tank and hit the left wing, pening up a seal which eventually imploded the aircraft. However, because the damage was caused during re-entry they cannot confirm that this damage caused the accident. Coincidentally, the shuttle had also lost sensors on its left wing during re-entry.

At 8:53 am, on February 1^st, NASA lost temperature measurements for the shuttle's left hydraulic system. At 8:58 am, NASA lost the measurement for the shuttle's left side, loosing eight more measurements for the left inboard and outboard tires at 8:59 am. At 9 o'clock, NASA lost all contact with Columbia. The last words from Columbia were "Roger, uh,¼ " This was after Mission control reported losing the temperatures on Columbia's tires. Moments after this, the space shuttle Columbia was engulfed by a fireball, the seven astronauts trapped in a living inferno. Mission Control, the sense of déjà vu from 17 years ago now apparent, could only sit and wait for some if any positive signs. Their hope was futile.

Recent reports from the Columbia Accident Investigation say that pieces of Columbia's engines were found at Fort Polk in Central Louisiana. The debris from Columbia was spread over at least three U.S. states; Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. The parts found were a turbopump and two engine powerheads. NASA is still examining data from the shuttle's OEX, or Orbital Experiment Support System computer, found at Hemphill, Texas on March 19^th. So far, at least 420 active sensors have been found and the team of scientists are trying to simulate the actual events of the crash through the debris. Since April 4^th, 42,000 pieces of debris from the shuttle have been found amounting to approximately 28 tons of material, about 28% of the shuttle's actual weight.

Knowing myself well enough, I wouldn't go into outer space, knowing that I may not come back alive. Despite the wondrous pictures that I may see from high above the earth’s surface, I would prefer the cool, air-conditioned offices at NASA's mission control.

The crew of Columbia was a group of incredibly brave astronauts. There were five men, and two women, among who was Israel's first astronaut, Ilan Ramon. The others included Kalpana Chawla, a Indian woman who had become an American citizen, who was revered at home in India. Laurel Clark, Col. Rick Husband, David Brown, William McCool, and Lt. Col. Michael Anderson.

The question we, as a society must ask is, how many more have to die in the name of space exploration? The endeavor to tame space often comes with a heavy price, and the Columbia disaster is another stark reminder of the perils of space travel. We have to ask ourselves, 'Is the voyage worth the price?’ Is this a price we will be willing to pay in the future? Or, can we somehow avert these disasters?

Looking at this disaster, the shuttle Columbia's age has to be taken into account as well as ‘wear and tear’ of the numerous missions it had previously flown. The design of that shuttle was at least two decades or more old. Should it be something that should be replaced? Still, scientists assure us that before it lifted off, Columbia had most of its parts re-fitted and that new and additional parts were added to ensure smooth function. The shuttle is insulated with 27, 000 hand-glued silicon fibre tiles that reflect heat during re-entry. But what are the chances just one of those tiles wasn’t glued properly?

On the positive side, we must also take into account that this was the 115^th NASA space shuttle mission, and out of all of them, Columbia was only the second one to fail.

Many who doubt the safety of space travel, and understand the risks, ask why we cannot make do with sending robots or monkeys in place of the astronauts. With the rate technology is moving at, we may soon have robots as intelligent or more intelligent as humans, that can not only conduct experiment and tests, but can communicate their findings back to Earth as well. Why not? Another long-time fantasy would be to send trained monkeys into space and observe their behaviour and reactions to space. This way, we don't risk losing astronauts, and we get the scientific knowledge that is our top priority.

Yet, we will still risk our lives in this dangerous business. We do this so that we humans can experience the aura and magic of space travel ourselves. Without humans in space, all the science and research would be like trying to touch something intangible or relate to something that we cannot understand. Since the early days of exploration, with noted explorers like Columbus, Cartier and Champlain, human kind has always looked for challenges, and new experiences, and therefore ventured into the most bizarre and fascinating worlds.

Future space shuttle missions for NASA are being put on hold to accommodate and confirm investigations on the shuttle Columbia. Most future missions are still under review. NASA is determined that this accident will not stem their path to future human space exploration. Other countries, however, are keeping a wary eye on their space programs because of the accident. Many are asking if the rewards and gains outweigh the costs. For instance, Canada is now reluctant about sending astronauts to NASA's space shuttle program, and it has recently been announced that all space flights scheduled for Canadians in the near future will be postponed.      

We, as a society, should not let a minor setback like this, though sad and shocking, get in the way of our exploration. The seven astronauts are now a symbol of what we all strive for; the challenge and conquest of new worlds, a comprehension of the unknown, and the glory of discovering something that was previously a mystery to all of us.