Like Crashed US Airways Plane, Space Shuttle Has Had Bird Collision

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Engine shrouds

Hey, for the cost of a a few more tens of thousands per engine, a lightweight, strong heat resistant carbon composite aerodynamic shroud could be bolted to each engine to deflect birds in flight before they can enter and chew up the fan blades on turbo jet engines. The front spoiler on my car does the same thing - it deflects most large objects from penetrating the radiator. Same concept can be used on the space shuttle. Why haven't these genius engineers and scientist thought to use this simple solution? Because it's too simple so how could it possibly work, right? Let's find more complex and expensive ways that don't work until we crash another shuttle or jet plane filled with people.

Tony Lee of CA @ Mar 11, 2009 19:51:39 PM

I have been hit by a bird

Just walking down the street.

And no, the bird didn't go, AAAAAAAAAH! before it hit me.

But it did fly off, apparently none the worse for wear.

Probably a little embarrassed though.

Dave of NC @ Mar 07, 2009 07:56:32 AM

Canopy Testing

When I worked at McDonnell Douglas, we had chicken gun that was used to test aircraft windscreens by firing chickens into them. No, we didn't use live chickens, they were already dead. They were trimmed to a specific MIL-SPEC size too.

I understand that back in the 60's, they did ejection seat development using live pigs. They said after the first couple of tests, the rest of the pigs figured out they wanted no part of it and fought like crazy. Pigs in space!

John Galt of FL @ Feb 11, 2009 18:56:23 PM

Thought for the day

I have tertiary syphilis.

Genghis of ID @ Jan 17, 2009 22:45:39 PM

Why the tie-in?

What is the point of this? To bring light to something written back in 2006? Is this the same as when the local tv news decides to put the local spin on a story?

Katrina.....could it happen here in NY?

I see the bird connection, but don't see the point of mentioning it.

;)

A1cracker of @ Jan 16, 2009 07:59:56 AM

Bird strikes

Aircraft hit birds every day. 99.999 % without other than minor or cosmetic damage to aircraft

GB of @ Jan 15, 2009 19:48:32 PM

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Thinking Harder

This blog is the public workshop of U.S. News writer and editor Ben Harder. In articles published in the magazine, he has covered a range of sciences, including medicine, human behavior, prehistory, and evolution. Here, he can explore those and other scientific fields more fully and more informally than is possible in print. He'll share whatever seems noteworthy or potentially useful, and he invites readers to do the same.

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On Feb. 24, 2008, Ben discussed the link between artificial light and cancer on WTOP radio. Listen to the interview at WTOP News. He again talked about light pollution on WTOP on March 22, exploring its environmental effects.

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