Closeup Photos of Space Shuttle Enterprise Hitting a Bridge Abutment

[NYCA News]

NYCAviation:

Closeup Photos of Space Shuttle Enterprise Hitting a Bridge Abutment

Space Shuttle Enterprise finished its barge ride a little worse for wear on Sunday, with its right wingtip smashing into wooden pilings as it made its way between two bridge support structures.
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[Perriwen]

*Insert slow clap here*

[gonzalu]

Perriwen!!! We missed you... please chime in on all the other threads. Your commentary will be most welcome :-)

[eric8669]

Perriwen!!! We missed you... please chime in on all the other threads. Your commentary will be most welcome :-)

begin laughing here.....

[Perriwen]

Perriwen!!! We missed you... please chime in on all the other threads. Your commentary will be most welcome :-)

I'm getting there, but this one caught my attention first because I kind of predicted this very thing would happen. XD

[moose135]

So are you saying is that there has never been any damage to any of the artifacts on display in Houston? No contractor dropped a tool and dented a rocket? Never left anything out in the elements to be damaged? Let me help you with that...

http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-030104a.html

July 20, 2007 - With managers, moonwalkers and the media watching, NASA's Johnson Space Center opened Friday a facility designed to protect and display the last remaining 363-foot Saturn V rocket to be assembled from parts once capable of launching astronauts to the Moon...

The Saturn V is not new to the space center; in fact, it hasn't moved from where it currently rests since its arrival in Houston in 1977. For nearly 30 years, it sat on its side, exposed to the elements, from its parking space opposite the main entrance to JSC. The passage of time, subjection to Houston humidity and the infiltration of local flora and fauna were not kind to the rocket, degrading it to the point of nearly being destroyed.

I see that they do such a better job of caring for priceless national treasures in Houston.

[eric8669]

I'm getting there, but this one caught my attention first because I kind of predicted this very thing would happen. XD

You didn't predict %$#$%*.

[moose135]

Maybe they should have used that bubble wrap after all...

[Perriwen]

So are you saying is that there has never been any damage to any of the artifacts on display in Houston? No contractor dropped a tool and dented a rocket? Never left anything out in the elements to be damaged? Let me help you with that...

I didn't say that, but...

Did you really just compare accidentally dropping a tool and ramming something into a bridge when said object could have passed through with several feet to spare? I'm gonna dog you guys about that to make up for all the dogging you gave me. ;)

You didn't predict %$#$%*.

Yeah, I did. I predicted it would not arrive to display without damage, and that exactly happened.

[moose135]

Did you really just compare accidentally dropping a tool and ramming something into a bridge when said object could have passed through with several feet to spare?

Maybe you didn't actually read the story about what happened...

While approaching the Railroad Bridge, a sudden microburst of wind, measured at 35 knots, caused the rub panel foam protective layer of the wingtip of the Enterprise to graze the protective wood piling bumpers in the water designed to bumper vessels.

Do you think the Intrepid folks were on a drunken joy ride with it? This was a professional marine operation company handling the move, and an unexpected gust of wind caused a small bit of damage.

[Perriwen]

Maybe you didn't actually read the story about what happened...

Do you think the Intrepid folks were on a drunken joy ride with it? This was a professional marine operation company handling the move, and an unexpected gust of wind caused a small bit of damage.

Except, I think you missed this part:

Some observers noted that before the incident that the wind had picked significantly up as a line of thunderstorms passed near the area, and were surprised that the operation wasn’t suspended temporarily.

If the average joes watching it could tell, so could the guys on the boats. And going ahead with the operation when they knew they should have waited is absolutely careless-and puts the blame for what happened on them 110%.

[eric8669]

Except, I think you missed this part:



If the average joes watching it could tell, so could the guys on the boats. And going ahead with the operation when they knew they should have waited is absolutely careless-and puts the blame for what happened on them 110%.

obviously the blame is on them, who else would they blame? The bridge for being there.

The wind was a contributing factor.

[Perriwen]

obviously the blame is on them, who else would they blame? The bridge for being there.

The article says the museum claimed it was all the weather. Even though...yeah. Anyone should know better than to try and move the shuttle through narrow passages when there is a lot of wind.

[eric8669]

The article says the movers claimed it was all the weather. Even though...yeah. Anyone should know better than to try and move the shuttle through narrow passages when there is a lot of wind.

honestly I was very surprised that they did the move on Sunday with the weather conditions.

[eric8669]

according to @intrepidmuseum, the enterprise has already been repaired.