robertcbyrd Loc: 28754

This is just sad.

https://weather.com/news/news/2018-05-24-spacex-launch-melts-camera-bill-ingalls

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Saw the picture a day or two ago on another site. Warranty doesn't cover it and the lens has a few problems too.
Only saving grace is that he was operating the rig by remote from a safe location.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

While the heat from the launch itself didn't melt the camera, it sparked a brush fire that consumed the DSLR.

But his insurance should - It will depend on his coverage...

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

It indicates he works for NASA so they should be able to afford to replace the camera, lens, tripod etc.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

Ahhh yes --- out tax dollars at work -

robertcbyrd Loc: 28754

I mourn the loss of such a fine camera.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Better to spend the money on replacing his gear than sending a left winged horse fly into orbit to see how it affects it's sex life or what ever.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

Yep - need to send a right winger

Burtzy Loc: Bronx N.Y. & Simi Valley, CA

Sadder still was when the Apollo astronauts abandoned custom made Hasselblads on the moon to make space for carrying Moon rocks back to Earth. Once here, the rocks were examined and mostly lost sight of. Those Hassies are still up there.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Sacrificed for the greater good? "Got the shot!"

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

NASA does not replace your gear in this instance - its his problem. Now, if they paint a building and overspray gets on your car (and you were not told to park in a safe area), they will cover something like that, but then so will your insurance. When one of the rockets (I think it was a ULA launch/Air Force side) blew above the pad, it rained fire and brimstone down on "Illegally parked" worker vehicles-destroying many, they were told not to park near the PAD, which you can do on the Air Force launch pads (not PAD A or B at KSC, they have a very large safe zone). They were not compensated, and many faced diciplinary action for breaking the rules.

How do I know this - 15 years on Shuttle Program at KSC. I won't defend NASA, except where fair is fair. The Shuttle Program was (in my opinion) basically a high tech WPA program - just wasn't roads and dams - it suffered from politics all through its run, twisted visions, lobbyist from the states that got the work earned their dollars, highly technically skilled workers were kept here, and the work wasn't shipped offshore (for the most part - there were cooperative ventures with other countries (International Space Station). NASA is such a small part of our National Operating Budget, gobs more is wasted/hidden on black Ops projects of dubious intent...but its a political hot potatoe cause its so visible -ever been on a Space Center tour?