An analysis of the events that led up to the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster and the changes that NASA has implemented to prevent a similar disaster from occurring.
Abstract This paper introduces and analyzes the topic of the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. Specifically, it analyzes the accident that occurred on the morning of February 1, 2003 and discusses the events that led up to its occurrence. The paper then discusses what NASA learned from the Columbia disaster and the changes that it has implemented as a result.
From the Paper "In conclusion, NASA learned much from the Columbia disaster, and they have implemented new flight techniques and safety checks that help ensure this type of accident does not happen again. However, the Columbia disaster indicates that communication and decision-making at NASA is sometime suspect, and that continues, even today, even though NASA has developed these new safety checks to help make sure disasters like Columbia do not happen again. While the communication techniques NASA officials use may come into question, ultimately, it is recognized that space travel, although we often take it for granted, is inherently dangerous. Astronauts know that, and so do their families. Every time we send another space shuttle into orbit, we face the possibility of disaster, it is that simple. Still, space travel has largely been safe, and it seems that NASA will continue to promote safe space travel into the future."
Abstract This paper provides a brief overview of the ?free flight? system of air traffic control and compares it with the present air traffic control system. The paper also describes the limitations of the current air traffic system and then goes on to explain how the 'free flight' system promises efficiency and profitability for the airline industry.
From the Paper "With more than 50,000 flights taking to the skies everyday the present US air traffic control system places increasing strain on the control room staff who have the responsibility of tracking, guiding and directing the pilots. Under the current system, the air traffic controllers resolve conflicts in airspace using radar signals and regulating traffic by means of adjusting the altitude and speed limit of the different flights. As James Coyne, president of the National Air Transportation Association, says, ?All of the information that flows to and from a pilot today in virtually all aircraft is done on a strictly single-voice channel, back and forth, with human beings actually saying all the words live. As anyone can imagine, that is an extremely inefficient way to convey data." [Jacques Leslie] Pilots are dependent upon the instructions from the control room to avoid conflicts and disaster in airspace. Once the aircraft is cleared by the departure controller and left the TRACON (terminal radar control) airspace, it is monitored enroute by the personnel in the ARTCC (Air Route Traffic Control Center) who continue to provide the pilots with the traffic, altitude and speed instructions. [Craig C. Freudenrich Ph.D] For most airways however, the stipulated altitude, route and speed restrictions do not contribute to optimal efficiency."
Tags: deregulation, satellite, technology, navigation, equipments, radars, aviation, communication
Abstract In this article the writer discusses the air disaster involving Japan Airlines Flight 123, which crashed in 1985. The writer examines details of the Boeing flight, including intended flight path and plane information. Further, the writer provides a detailed analysis of the causes of the crash. In this paper, the findings of various federal organizations are also included.
From the Paper "The last minutes of Japan Airlines Flight 123 from Tokyo have been the subject of intense debate since the Boeing crashed on August 1985. It remains to date the worst single plane air crash in history. Twelve minutes into a domestic run from Haneda Airport Tokyo to Osaka Flight 123 experienced every pilot and passenger's nightmare: a total loss of hydraulic pressure, as well as tail control, surfaces which rendered the piloting controls useless. The plane was out of control ... "
Abstract The paper describes the aviation accident that involved the United Airlines Flight 232 in 1989. The paper explores the three main remarkable factors in this episode and the five important factors that contributed to the success of the emergency response. The paper shows how this United Airlines Flight 232 crash was a watershed event in the history of commercial aviation. The paper appends a color image of the wreckage of the aircraft and a diagram showing seating and injury information.
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Abstract
United Airlines Flight 232
From the Paper "On the 19th of July, 1989, a major aircraft accident took place in the U.S. which resulted in important changes in emergency equipments, procedures and responses. This accident involved the United Airlines Flight 232, a DC-10 which was proceeding from Denver to Chicago. When the wreckage was examined, parts of the second engine's fan blade were found embedded in the tail portion of the airplane. The damaged engine's fan module was not to be found at the scene of the wreckage. On examination, two significant fractures were found on the disk which indicated failure due to overstress. The fractures had originated from a fatigued portion situated on the internal diameter of the fan disk. The National Transportation Safety Board -- NTSB ascertained that the possible cause of this accident was the insufficient significance given to human limitations during quality control and inspection procedures while overhauling the engines at the United Airlines facility. The NTSB put the entire blame on the maintenance team at the United Airlines San Francisco facility."
Abstract This report is a short investigative paper into what happened to United Airlines Flight 173 that crashed on December 28, 1978, into a heavily wooded but populated suburban area of Portland as it attempted to approach the Portland International Airport. It looks at how crash reconstruction experts, on-flight recorders and eye witness accounts were used to help provide insights into why the tragic event occurred.
From the Paper "In the flight crew's defense, they were said to have been completely preoccupied with a landing gear malfunction and therefore overlooked the fact that they were in serious trouble due to the fuel shortage. The obvious question that comes to mind about this tragedy could be that weren't there other options such as a gear up landing? There have been successful gear up landings in the past and with foam technology today, the runway could literally have been made to resemble ice. Of course fuel combustion is a major concern for gear up landings. "A commuter jet, carrying 52 passengers was forced to circle Wichita's Mid-Continent airport for 1-? hours Saturday morning."
Abstract This paper discusses St. Augustine's sin of stealing the pears and what made him do so. It details the commentary on this, what was going through St. Augustine's head, and what were the consequences of his act. It describes how St. Augustine became one of the greatest doctors of the Catholic Church and details his great achievements despite this incident.
From the Paper "St. Augustine's account of his stealing the pears is a starkly honest confrontation of his ? and man's ? wretchedness without God. He freely admits that stealing is against God's law, which is inherently etched in the heart of man, a law which not even sin can erase. Nonetheless, man steals -- and Augustine stole those pears, not out of want for something to eat or any other need for them, nor for the desire to own the fruits because of their exceptional quality, such as color or taste. Augustine writes that he stole simply because he "lusted to thieve" (p 4 par 4). He revealed that the act came out of being habituated to sin, ?a pampered ness of iniquity.? (p 4 par 4), which inclined him to no other pattern of acts but the wrong ones. He said it exactly and clearly but in repentance, that it was out of a joy for the evil that he sinned by stealing: ?It was foul, and I loved it.? (p 5 par 1). It was doing something wrong for the preference and enjoyment of evil."
Abstract This paper describes how this system allows aircrafts to communicate and report to the ground and vice versa. It explains the processes involved, the transmitting of data on VHF frequencies that can be received and decoded. It is a digital data system in VHF (Aviation). It makes it possible for aviation companies to ?communicate? and track the planes of their fleet.
From the Paper "The Aeronautical Radio, Inc. (ARINC) maintains a huge worldwide VHF and HF voice network to provide operational radio communications for the aircraft industry. ACAR was designed and developed in the early eighties. It was produced to reduce the flight crew's workload by using modern computer technology to exchange many routine reports and messages. ACARS uses the AM mode because the same airborne VHF radio is often also used for voice communications. Burst transmissions are used with a limit of 220 characters per message. Transmissions often last less than one second."
Abstract There are 933 flight schools in the United States, ranging from private facilities mostly located at airports to complete two- and four-year programs at some of the nation's colleges and universities. How well does each prepare its students to become commercial pilots for airlines or small, local and regional carriers? In this paper, I will discuss some selected pilot training schools and show what they offer students. In addition, I will touch on the area of minority recruitment and the presence of minorities and women in commercial aviation.
Abstract This paper examines St. Augustine's criticism of his study of classical learning. The author points out st. Augustine's disdain of classical studies because they fed his vanity, pride and ambition.
From the Paper "In Book I of the "Confessions", St. Augustine sharply criticizes his experience with what is today called classical learning. He confesses that he is not overfond of Homer but that he did enjoy Virgil. He is also fully conversant with the Roman playwrights citing ..."
Abstract The writer presents a general overview of St. John's Wort. The writer looks at the effectiveness of the use of this herbal supplement. The paper studies the dosage and side effects of using St. John's Wort. In this article, the writer discusses the use of herbal supplements. The writer points to research indicating that the use of St. John's Wort in order to fight depression has not been validated.
From the Paper "One of every three American adults regularly uses herbal supplements including both St. John's Wort and saw palmetto, the two most popular supplements in use today. St. John's Wort, just a few short years ago, was little more than an obscure weed growing wild in North America. Today, as Schardt has commented, St. John's Wort is one of the most common and popular 'feel-good' herbal supplements. Millions of people take it as a natural way of fighting depression. However as this brief ... "
Abstract This paper analyzes the work of Ishmael Reed, "Flight to Canada." The work tells of the importance of re-writing the slave narratives. In this work, there is a juxtaposing of genres, as poetry and prose are combined to tell different versions of the same story. In the end, both versions are valid, although the poetry allows the reader to see into Quickskill's emotions.
From the Paper "Ishmael Reed's Flight to Canada is a telling work regarding the themes of the re-writing of history and an exploration of the African American experience. Reed is decidedly not interested in the Caucasian historical accounts of African American history, as is illustrated in this piece. One significant element of this work is the poems which are interspersed in between the story. These poems tell of the same details from the prose, yet they vary in features and in effectiveness. In Ishmael Reed's Flight to Canada, the opening poem, also entitled "Flight from Canada" tells of Quickskill's escape from slavery, and, although this tale is also related through the prose, the elements and thematic effectiveness of the poem allow the readers to understand Quickskill's character through a variety of means. Through the differences in the elements of the two genres, the reader ..."
Abstract This paper presents a plan to upgrade the communication and volunteer programs of a church, and its objectives. It includes making the information more available, increasing volunteer opportunities, and encouraging people to ask for help as well as to give it.
Abstract This paper describes the history and significance St. Mark's Basilica. This church is a major architectural and historical "anchor" of Venice, Italy. It details the church's unique architecture, and gives an historical account of how it was built and by whom. It provides an in-depth description of the church, interior and exterior, and also provides excerpts from stories and myths concerning the church.
From the Paper "It's a given fact that countless great cathedrals, monasteries, and other holy places have been built over the ages as a testament to man's devotion to God. In point of even more practical fact, that devotion was often tempered and blended with a generous portion of servitude to one's feudal lord as well, with the unspoken incentive that one got to keep one's property, position, or even one's life if one gave good service . . . and if one did not, well, things may not go as well as one would hope! But St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, Italy, may well have an additional distinction of its own?not only as a sign of devotion to God, but as an edifice that stands uniquely in itself as a visual means of atonement for sin, an effort at retribution for what might well be termed a "divine crime " . . ."
Tags:St., Mark's, Basilica, cathedrals, monasteries, holy, God, Venice, Italy, church
Abstract This paper states that St. John's Wort is effective in the treatment of severe depression. The paper assesses its effectiveness when correlated with the effects of a placebo. It cites numerous sources in a literature review format such that studies are scrutinized with the suggestion that sources be judged based on their authors and placement.
Abstract This paper discusses the major purpose of St. Paul's "Letters to the Romans," a chapter in the Christian Bible. These letters served to introduce ideas behind Christianity such as the faithfulness of God and salvation to the masses. The author also explains that Paul's concerns about the Romans as inspired him to write these letters.
From the Paper "St. Paul's letters to the Romans had many purposes the main one however, was the uniting of the church and the exhortation to the Gentile Christians to be more accepting of their Jewish brothers and sisters in Christ since the church was at that time comprised of mainly Gentile Christians. Paul knew that a church characterized by harmony would bring glory and honor to God however, Paul had other reasons as well for writing the letters to the Romans."
