A bat that was clinging to space shuttle Discovery’s external fuel tank during the countdown to launch the STS-119 mission remained with the spacecraft as it cleared the tower, analysts at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center concluded.
Based on images and video, a wildlife expert who provides support to the center said the small creature was a free tail bat that likely had a broken left wing and some problem with its right shoulder or wrist. The animal likely perished quickly during Discovery’s climb into orbit.
Because the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge coexists inside Kennedy Space Center, the launch pads have a number of measures available, including warning sirens, to deter birds and other creatures from getting too close. The launch team also uses radar to watch for birds before a shuttle liftoff.
Nevertheless, the bat stayed in place and it was seen changing positions from time to time.
Launch controllers spotted the bat after it had clawed onto the foam of the external tank as Discovery stood at Launch Pad 39A. The temperature never dropped below 60 degrees at that part of the tank, and infrared cameras showed that the bat was 70 degrees through launch.
The final inspection team that surveys the outside of the shuttle and tank for signs of ice buildup observed the small bat, hoping it would wake up and fly away before the shuttle engines ignited.
It was not the first bat to land on a shuttle during a countdown. Previously, one of the winged creatures landed on the tank during the countdown to launch shuttle Columbia on its STS-90 mission in 1998.
Title: Re: Houston--We have a hitch Hiker
Post by: Oddball on March 18, 2009, 04:09:45 PM
I wonder if the bat was using the HitchHiker's Guide To The Galaxy ?
Title: Re: Houston--We have a hitch Hiker
Post by: Thunder Eagle on March 18, 2009, 06:27:46 PM
What a way to go...
Title: Re: Houston--We have a hitch Hiker
Post by: TheSoccerMom on March 18, 2009, 08:19:41 PM
I bet he hollered at all his friends, when he took off headed for the launch pad:
"Hey, hold my beer!! Watch this, you guys!!"
And, they'll have his little bat face on the front page of the morning's Bat News.... :'(
"Hero Goes Where No Bat has Gone Before".... |:)\
::bow::
::bow::
Title: Re: Houston--We have a hitch Hiker
Post by: Turbomallard on March 18, 2009, 10:06:47 PM
It wanted to be a batstronaut.
::silly::
Sorry... long day at work...
TM
Title: Re: Houston--We have a hitch Hiker
Post by: Dubwing on March 18, 2009, 11:40:48 PM
Poor little guy, the thing I wonder is how he managed to get up on the tank with a broken wing, can bats fly on just one wing?
And seeing as no one's posted this, a member of twitter has adapted the song "Ground Control to Major Tom" Here's the new lyrics:
Quote
This is Ground Control to Brian Bat You’ve really chosen bad And the websites want to know just why you’re there Now it’s time to leave the fuel tank if you dare
This is Brian Bat to Ground Control I’m getting ready to soar And I’m flying in a most peculiar way And the stars look very different today
For here Am I gripping insulation Far above the world Planet Earth is blue And there’s nothing I can do…
