Interaction: STS-114 delay

Myers: Good evening, and welcome back to Kennedy Space Centre as we continue to await the launch of STS-114 and its seven person crew, the first Space Shuttle mission in two and a half years. Sensor testing has been continuing at a frantic pace, and although the specific problem hasn't been found, the team is going to attempt a launch on Tuesday. Will the sensor problems repeat themselves? Will Discovery reach space safely? Will the International Space Station crew remember to leave the porch light on? These questions may be answered this week, but this hour we'll discuss questions that can be answered now, starting with the Interaction IQ, the Initial Question. Today it's from Maya in St Petersburg, Russia, who asks what else besides the fuel sensors could force launch delays. We'll go first to the space correspondent at Silly Things magazine, Mr Rich Wilben.

Wilben: Well, most scrubs are due to weather, so that's still a possibility.

Myers: The space correspondent at Ka-Ching TV North America, Ms Gaby Queensland.

Queensland: Plenty of things, like frost forming on the external tank.

Myers: The assembly line director at spacecraft component manufacturer, SPU Sprockets, Ms Shannon Scolari.

Scolari: Oh no you don't. I'm not jinxing this mission.

Myers: And a freelance photographer based in Montgomery, AL, USA, Mr Dick Cruxton.

Cruxton: I'd keep an eye on the crew if I were you. You wouldn't want one of them to come down with something.

Myers: And I'm Debbie Myers. I don't want to jinx this mission either. Well, let's move on now to discuss the crew's plans. Yesterday the seven astronauts returned here to KSC after a few days in Houston, TX, USA. Gaby, how does the constant back and forth flying affect the astronauts?

Queensland: Well, they like to fly. It's their job.

Myers: There's no possibility of jet lag or anything similar?

Queensland: There's only an hour difference between here and Houston.

Myers: Well, you know what I mean.

Queensland: No, I don't.

Cruxton: I do.

Wilben: Me too.

Cruxton: Yeah, you're just insane, Gaby.

Queensland: Am not!

Cruxton: Are too!

Queensland: Am not!

Cruxton: Are too!

Queensland: Am not!

Cruxton: Are too times ten!

Myers: Well, in any case, what I was going for was, are there any potential physiological or psychological effects from the frequent flights, Rich?

Wilben: I knew what you meant.

Myers: Yes, well, good for you.

Wilben: Don't you start acting like I'm the one who couldn't understand you. It was Gaby.

Myers: [sighs] Do you want to answer the question or don't you?

Wilben: Well, if you're going to be all snooty about it, maybe I don't.

Myers: Fine.

Wilben: Fine.

Myers: In any –

Wilben: Fine.

Myers: You already said that.

Wilben: Fine.

Myers: Anyway, Dick, do you feel that there will be any effects on the crewmembers?

Cruxton: I don't know. I'm a photographer.

Myers: But you've been taking photographs of the crew.

Cruxton: That's right. I've photographed each of the crewmembers. Individually, in groups of two or more, or even in a group of seven.

Myers: So have you noticed any differences in the crew's behaviour or appearance?

Cruxton: I haven't. I think they're go.

Myers: All right. Gaby, now that you understand the question, would you care to have a go at it?

Queensland: That has nothing to do with jet lag.

[Pause.]

Myers: So, no.

Queensland: Wait, I didn't say I wouldn't answer.

Myers: That's too bad. Well, remember, those of you at –

Wilben: Fine.

Myers: Shut up. Those of you at home, as ever, have the opportunity to send your questions to us. As you can see, we take questions by E-mail, snail mail, telephone, telegraph, text message, facsimile, and facmetaphor. Our first question tonight is from Stan in La Cañada, CA, USA. Stan, are you there?

Stan in La Cañada: Yeah, hi. I got a question about the Space Shuttle.

Myers: Good. That's what we're talking about this evening.

Stan in La Cañada: Yeah. That's why I called in.

Myers: All right. Let's have your question.

Stan in La Cañada: Okay. I would like to know, why are we still flying the Space Shuttle when it's going to be replaced soon.

Myers: A good question from Stan. Why are we still flying the Space Shuttle, Shannon?

Scolari: Well, there are still a number of modules that still need to be launched to the International Space Station, such as the Kibo experiment module. And the Space Shuttle is, at the moment, the only way to get them up there. And besides that, the Space Shuttle still teaches us a lot every time it goes up.

Myers: So what are some of the most important lessons that we've learned from the Space Shuttle?

Scolari: Install and test Outlook on the laptops before you launch them.

Myers: What about you, Gaby? What do you feel is the most important lesson learned from the Space Shuttle programme?

Queensland: I think "If it's not safe, say so" is a good lesson.

Myers: Yes, and it certainly beats the alternative. Rich, your most important lesson?

Wilben: Fine. The most important lesson is not to count your main engines until they start.

Myers: Dick?

Cruxton: Ummm... I don't know. I can't come up with one.

Scolari: How about "An orbiter at the ISS is worth two in the VAB"?

Queensland: "Look both ways before you cross the equator"?

Wilben: "Don't eat glue"?

Cruxton: Okay, okay. I'm going to go with "Look both ways before you cross the equator".

Queensland: [claps] Good answer! Good answer!

Myers: Shut up. Well, our next question is a text message from Chera in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, who asks Y R U go 4 lnch. So Rich, Y R U go 4 lnch?

Wilben: Fine. I think it's cuz we R ready 2 lnch.

Myers: Okay. Well, we can have one more question tonight. It's an E-mail from Liz in Brighton, England, UK. She says she's a big fan of Wendy Lawrence and wants to know what she's been doing to prepare for this mission. Gaby, Wendy Lawrence is mission specialist 4 for STS-114. How has she been preparing for this mission?

Queensland: I know who she is.

Myers: Okay then. How has she been preparing?

Queensland: Why did you assume I didn't know who she is? I mean, I'm a space correspondent. It's my job to know who she is.

Myers: It's for our viewers.

Queensland: Sure. You expect me to believe that?

Myers: Yes.

Queensland: Not a chance of that, sport. You keep misunderestimating me. And I will not stand for it.

Myers: So, you don't want to answer.

Scolari: Did you say misunderestimate?

Queensland: Yes.

Scolari: That's the word that President Bush made up.

Queensland: Yes. I like to use it from time to time. It's usually good for a laugh.

Cruxton: Yes, I thought it was funny. Very witty.

Scolari: Well, it didn't work for me. I don't think the president's speech problems are funny.

Cruxton: I'd have to say you're in a minority there. The president's speech problems are funny.

Scolari: Are not!

Cruxton: Are too!

Scolari: Are not!

Cruxton: Are too times ten!

Myers: That's it for Interaction this week. Thanks to Mr Dick Cruxton, Ms Shannon Scolari, Ms Gaby Queensland, and Mr Rich Wilben for joining us. We'll remain here at KSC next week to discuss, hopefully, the launch of STS-114. Gaby is scheduled to rejoin us next week, along with a space travel professor, a leading science author, and the editor of a space charity magazine. Until then, good night.

Wilben: Fine.

Myers: I think there's a medication you can take for that.