March 15: Space Bat Memorial Day

On March 15, 2009, the Space Shuttle Discovery launched from Kennedy Space Center without any issues, except one. From Wikipedia:

During the countdown a bat was seen to be resting on the external tank. What was originally believed to be a fruit bat was revealed to have been a free-tailed bat that clung onto the fuel tank during the launch. NASA observers had believed the bat would fly off once the shuttle started to launch, but it did not, and it was probably shaken off and incinerated by the rocket exhaust. A bat doctor, analyzing pictures, believed the bat had a broken wing which made it unable to fly off.

Who We Are
Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over forty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. Contact Us

Posted By: Alex - Thu Mar 15, 2012
Category: Animals | Spaceflight, Astronautics, and Astronomy

Comments

We mere humans can only standby in awe when Nature imposes Her will onto,what we perceive to be, our stage.

Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 03/15/12 at 10:42 AM

That's one small step for a bat,
One giant leap for batkind.

Posted by KDP on 03/15/12 at 12:07 PM

The little guy never even batted an eye. :cheese:

Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 03/15/12 at 09:50 PM

This sets the 'stage' for another memorial on The Mall. Fly forever, Spacebat! Go taxpayers! :coolsmirk:

Posted by done on 03/15/12 at 11:22 PM

Yeah, and nobody will misquote this honoree on his memorial!

Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 03/15/12 at 11:26 PM

Commenting is not available in this channel entry.