Subscription Center
Mar 17, 2009 07:30 PM | 7
.jpg)
As we mentioned in our coverage of Sunday's launch of space shuttle Discovery, which NASA personnel characterized as "picture-perfect," a bat was spotted clinging to the shuttle's external fuel tank (left) as liftoff approached. The same thing happened before a shuttle launch in 1998, and that bat flew away as the shuttle took flight, according to the space agency.
But as we noted on Twitter, thanks to Orlando Sentinel reporter Robyn Shelton, the latter-day bat was still present as Discovery blasted off (circled in photo at right) and most likely did not survive. NASA issued a press release today confirming that assessment. 
"Based on images and video, a wildlife expert who provides support to [Kennedy Space 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 statement read. "The animal likely perished quickly during Discovery's climb into orbit." (While this is a sad footnote to Discovery's launch, we can think of worse ways to go—what a send-off!)
Photos courtesy of NASA
Tags:
NASA,
bat,
discovery,
free-tail bat,
space shuttle launch
More News Blog:
Next: PSA testing may not save your life, after all
Previous: Twitter this: Will juror tweeting lead to new trial?
See what we're tweeting about
TetZoo Musings on misplaced marsupials: wild #wallabies in the UK http://t.co/4ZTuibzUEw #SciAmBlogs #TetZoo #mammals #animals #biology
mbattaglia53 Off-planet road trips--The Mars rover Opportunity recently set a distance record for off-planet driving… http://t.co/hEKhtoGpDe
DNLee5 Meet Your Mites http://t.co/c4FSQglxR5 << these are mine. eww! but neat!... http://t.co/LBB8KDhBHG
Deadline: Jul 25 2013
Reward: Varies
This challenge provides an opportunity for Solvers to build a web-based or mobile “app” to explore data relationships in scholarly conte
Deadline: Jul 30 2013
Reward: $100,000 USD
The Seeker desires a method for producing pseudoephedrine products in such a way that it will be extremely difficult for clandestine che
Powered By: 
YES! Send me a free issue of Scientific American with no obligation to continue the subscription. If I like it, I will be billed for the one-year subscription.
7 Comments
Add CommentBrings a new meaning to the phrase Bat Outta Hell
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisPoor fellow. But. Who cares? That happens. Once in a while, we all hit animals with our cars. We feel bad. But. That happens. It is not newsworthy. Those who at least pretend to care the most, should be spending their time and money, both on better propulsion and power systems that "might" at least be a little more eco-friendly. It also would contribute greatly to moving at least some of humanity off of our home planet, freeing up more of the environment for use by our fellow Earth creatures.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWell, with the bat present, we know the launch had to be bug free. It's great to see a little news on the lighter side, but then I'm not a bat..
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisJeff Golblum clearly demonstrated what can happen when you implement transporters! Even a lowly house fly can really screw up the works!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMe? I'd prefer Stairway to Heaven by Led Zepplin--how 'bout you?
The bat shoulda known that NASA doesn't allow stowaways. At least he wasn't afraid to ride the shuttle!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisBat INTO hell more like it,
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisA true hero...
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ibq2IwznCgc