Space Shuttle Columbia

[JRSCline]

I have always particularly liked this 80s song by Peter Schilling, whose lyrics translate as:<br>
<br>
MAJOR TOM (COMING HOME)<br>
<br>
Standing there alone, the ship is waiting.<br>
All systems are go. "Are you sure?"<br>
Control is not convinced, but the computer<br>
has the evidence. No need to abort.<br>
The countdown starts.<br>
<br>
Watching in a trance, the crew is certain.<br>
Nothing left to chance, all is working.<br>
Trying to relax up in the capsule<br>
"Send me up a drink," jokes Major Tom.<br>
The count goes on...<br>
<br>
4, 3, 2, 1<br>
Earth below us, drifting, falling.<br>
Floating weightless, calling, calling home...<br>
<br>
Second stage is cut. We're now in orbit.<br>
Stabilizers up, running perfect.<br>
Starting to collect requested data.<br>
"What will it affect when all is done?"<br>
thinks Major Tom.<br>
<br>
Back at ground control, there is a problem.<br>
"Go to rockets full." Not responding.<br>
"Hello Major Tom. Are you receiving?<br>
Turn the thrusters on. We're standing by."<br>
There's no reply.<br>
<br>
4, 3, 2, 1<br>
Earth below us, drifting, falling.<br>
Floating weightless, calling, calling home...<br>
<br>
Across the stratosphere, a final message:<br>
"Give my wife my love." Then nothing more.<br>
<br>
Far beneath the ship, the world is mourning.<br>
They don't realize he's alive.<br>
No one understands, but Major Tom sees.<br>
"Now the light commands this is my home,<br>
I'm coming home."<br>
<br>
Earth below us, drifting, falling.<br>
Floating weightless, coming home...<br>
Earth below us, drifting, falling.<br>
Floating weightless, coming, coming<br>
home...<br>
home...<br>
<br>
-----------<br>
<br>
I remember the first shuttle disaster, the Challenger. I was just walking into my high school classroom, and there was a TV on, with my teacher crying, and the image of a great white cloud across the sky.<br>
<br>
This time, Rob and I had just got home, and I was watching our fishtank, with the TV on for background noise. CNN was on, and the shuttle was due to land, but it was being reported as being 2 minutes late. And then they showed the clip, and I said to Rob, wait a minute, it's coming in -- in pieces! That's not right! Sure enough...<br>
<br>
Very sad, if only because we know them as people, as astronaut heroes. 7 people dying of disease in Africa doesn't make me bat an eye. I wonder if that makes me callous, or just normal. Anyway, I feel badly for the families. And I hope the end came quickly.<br>
<br>
Jenny <p></p><i></i>