BATS IN SPACE!!!

BaconZombie

This sounds like it could be the beginning plot of a bad 80's b-movie but it's real...

"A bat was seen clinging to the external fuel tank of the Space Shuttle Discovery before its launch on Sunday, apparently clung for dear life to the side of the tank as the spaceship lifted off. The shuttle accelerates to an orbital velocity of 17,500 milers per hour, which is 25 times faster than the speed of sound, in just over eight minutes. That's zero to 100 mph in 10 seconds. Did it make it into space? No one knows yet. But photos of Discovery as it cleared the launch tower showed a tiny speck on the side of the tank. When those photos were blown up, it became apparent that the speck was a bat."

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=7107251

OldGoat

Holy Spaceflight Batman! KaPoW

LiNgWiStIkZ

*insert witty comment here*

Agamemnon

BOFH_139 wrote: »

a bad 80's b-movie

A bit like Lifeforce, the British sci-fi flick about the space vampires. So bad it's hilarious and Mathilda May is easy on the eye.

Naos

apparently clung for dear life to the side of the tank as the spaceship lifted off

That made me chuckle, I seen the bat like <:eek:>

Professey Chin

I wonder what stage the bat realised "Maybe this isnt such a good idea"

Gone Drinking

Meatloaf.. bats from space.. i'm thinking new album here

CreepingDeath

Ultimate Chin wrote: »

I wonder what stage the bat realised "Maybe this isnt such a good idea"

Probably when it instantly went deaf from the sound of the rocket launch plus it's super sensitive hearing.

OldGoat

Ultimate Chin wrote: »

I wonder what stage the bat realised "Maybe this isnt such a good idea"

Secondary booster stage?

Genghiz Cohen

Agamemnon wrote: »

and Mathilda May was easy on the eye.

Fixed.

RandolphEsq

Maybe he will get zapped by cosmic radiation, turn into a bionic bat with giant powerful wings and guard the earth from outer space creatures keen to ruin us. He will use his gamma ray which shoots from his eyes. A satellite will be sent up in the shape of a wardrobe on which he will perch when he is on guard, and in which he will sleep when he gets tired.
He will also have a cognitive thought developed to a level where an understanding and relating to humans will be possible. He will be fed through a mini food silo which is connected to his wardrobe satellite. This will be refilled bi-weekly.
He will be known to us english-speaking humans as The Protector

Capt'n Midnight

Not looking good for the bat since it wouldn't be able to fly away fast enough to get away from the flames

BaconZombie

Looks like the bat made it.....

Mr.Lizard

Thought shuttles launchpads were meant to have all sorts of ultrasonic systems and the like in place to ward of bats, woodpeckers, tourists etc?

alexandros

Definitely the fastest way out of Florida.

Once you have had your fill of Disney World; there really is no reason to hang around. (pun intended)

Mr.Lizard

alexander.t wrote: »

no reason to hang around. (pun intended)

You chad to mention it.

BaconZombie

NEVER FORGET......

My name is URL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ibq2IwznCgc

KeyLimePie

the poor bat is all I can say, and aren't all rockets meant to be cleaned thoroughly before take off ? How'd it make it on there I wonder

Capt'n Midnight

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts119/launchbat.html

A bat that was clinging to space shuttle Discovery’s external fuel tank during the countdown to launch the STS-119 mission remained with the spacecraft as it cleared the tower, analysts at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center concluded.

Based on images and video, a wildlife expert who provides support to the center said the small creature was a free tail bat that likely had a broken left wing and some problem with its right shoulder or wrist. The animal likely perished quickly during Discovery’s climb into orbit.

Because the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge coexists inside Kennedy Space Center, the launch pads have a number of measures available, including warning sirens, to deter birds and other creatures from getting too close. The launch team also uses radar to watch for birds before a shuttle liftoff.

Nevertheless, the bat stayed in place and it was seen changing positions from time to time.
...
It was not the first bat to land on a shuttle during a countdown. Previously, one of the winged creatures landed on the tank during the countdown to launch shuttle Columbia on its STS-90 mission in 1998.

Saruman

Clearly the bat made it into space and its only a matter of time before cosmic radiation sets in and we have a mutant bat attacking us.
One bite creates a cosmic vampire.

Nasa clearly needs to glue an eagle to the next shuttle to combat this threat.

Capt'n Midnight

THE FAR SIDE:
the cartoon: a fish heading towards the surface of the water, tail first.
The caption: His tail encased in styrofoam, Carl is sent to "sleep with the humans."


Looks like the bat mafia sent Carl to sleep with the angels

Pepe LeFrits

Saruman wrote: »

Clearly the bat made it into space and its only a matter of time before cosmic radiation sets in and we have a mutant bat attacking us.
One bite creates a cosmic vampire.

Nasa clearly needs to glue an eagle to the next shuttle to combat this threat.

nyarlothothep

What a batty story

Lockstep

Amazed noone has put "And I, for one, welcome our new bat overlords"