16 replies to this topic

[Macker]

Oh no I agree with you as far as a service related object that has been made for space flight and use, those items have 100's of man hours to create and make for a specific function. How much did that bag of tools that was blitzing through space after it became untethered? It was the regular hammer that some guys were trying to get away with. The thing I don't agree about the space station is the word INTERNATIONAL is so lopsided. When the shuttles were grounded after the last crash there were certain countries complaining especially Russia about wanting the US to pay them to launch supplies, while cosmonauts were in space at the time. It's like the whole UN thing and lopsided trade deals.....

[cousin it]

^^If memory serves, the "tool bag" had $17,000 worth of tools in it. BTW, it is still visible with binocs. I've said many times that the ISS is a colossal waste of money for the science obtained, but I guess there is some political value to coop missions. Too, that bag had some one only tools for that mission. So, it's loss made the mission, not only, more difficult, but more dangerous. It is safe to assume that the astronaut that lost the bag will never get another mission.