Glad That's Not My Job

Shuttle team shoos away vultures Bird-strike during liftoff could endanger crew, NASA says

By Marsha Walton
CNN
Friday, June 30, 2006; Posted: 10:44 a.m. EDT (14:44 GMT)

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Florida (CNN) --When the shuttle Discovery launched July 26 2005, a turkey buzzard flew into the spacecraft's external tank about three seconds after liftoff. The bird's body fell away from the tank and apparently did no damage.

But NASA took the collision seriously, gathering experts to create a "Bird Abatement Plan" to reduce the risks for future shuttle missions.

On Thursday, NASA contractors began rounding up and securing dozens of vultures. They expect to capture about 150 by launch time. The birds will be released after the launch.

Birdchick Note: I hope the poor person that has to round up the birds got a serious bonus or raise. Vultures vomit when trapped. Bleh, roadkill vomit.

You can read the rest of the story at www.cnn.com.