Houston communications sometimes, I think, fail to fully explain things to non-space(y) people. They throw those terms around without noting that having an abort/destroy option for a docking spacecraft is routine. Just as having an abort/destroy procedure for unmanned rocket liftoffs such as the Ariane is routine. I've been around when they've had to destroy an unmanned U.S. rocket, big fireworks! ;}
It's not a biggie, the not filling in the gaps that Houston should have in their chatter. As my wrist is hurting, I shall skip the homily on why abort/destroy routines are necessary for any unmanned craft docking with the ISS. Let's just say that you can't call Triple A in case of a fender bender!
Truemors
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at 17:43 on April 3rd, 2008
Houston communications sometimes, I think, fail to fully explain things to non-space(y) people. They throw those terms around without noting that having an abort/destroy option for a docking spacecraft is routine. Just as having an abort/destroy procedure for unmanned rocket liftoffs such as the Ariane is routine. I've been around when they've had to destroy an unmanned U.S. rocket, big fireworks! ;}
It's not a biggie, the not filling in the gaps that Houston should have in their chatter. As my wrist is hurting, I shall skip the homily on why abort/destroy routines are necessary for any unmanned craft docking with the ISS. Let's just say that you can't call Triple A in case of a fender bender!