Remember the bat that attached itself to shuttle Discovery's external tank hours before liftoff Sunday?Sadly, NASA analysts believe the bat - identified as a free tail bat, not a fruit bat as first thought - was injured and probably died during the launch.
According to a report on NASA's Web site, a Kennedy Space Center wildlife expert determined that the bat probably had a broken left wing and perhaps a problem with its right shoulder or wrist.
Images confirmed that the bat stayed hitched to the tank after Discovery cleared the tower at Launch Complex 39A. The bat was seen shifting position occasionally, but was undeterred by systems installed at the pad to discourage birds.
Because of its position on the tank, opposite the shuttle, and the relatively warm temperature, analysts determined that the bat did not pose a debris risk to Discovery during liftoff.
You can read the NASA report by Steve Siceloff here.
14 comments:
As a tribute to the brave little bat, I suggest taht the folks who make the mission patches put a little bat figure on it. That way, we can truly honor the first bat in space.
Rick Steele
Sarasota, Florida
that bat never made it anywhere near space.
Farewell, small creature.
I bet its charred little remains got farther into space than Scotty's or Gordo's...
Great! Just what we need...more Space Bat Junk in outer space.
Anyone want some extra crispy bat?
This is one crazy state...Raping goats in the panhandle, and launching bats into space on the east coast.
First bat in space! (if it got that far) Or
First attempt to get a bat in space! (sounds better) anyone know if that bat was endangered?
I'm surprised that PETA isn't now protesting NASA and holding a candlelight vigil. I can just imagine the next director's poll...
Range Safety
...Go
Test Director
...Go
Weather
...Go
PETA
...hold, hold, hold.
Can we call Discovery "The Bat-Mobile" now?
Thank you...I'm here all week.
"Was the bat endangered?" YUP, from the moment it latched onto the tank.
Apparently the cheetah is no longer the worlds fastest animal.
poor little bat!
Poor bat , never had a chance
From Selena Gomez
where do all these bats come from?
From: Selena Gomez
Post a Comment