Space Shuttle

First Columbia shuttle was launched in April 12, 1981. Twenty-two years after the
launch of the first Columbia shuttle, another Columbia was launched and met
with disaster, destroying the entire crew fifteen minutes before landing.

The first launch 22 years earlier has an impact on the subsequent launches, even
though it is not always the same shuttle that is launched, it is the same
organization, making a similar expedition. If the first launch had been done in a
very favorable Muhurta, subsequent launches would have better avoided
disaster.

Let us analyse :
Lagna: Aries lagna not good for travels. Vargottama Venus, benefic in lagna.

Lagna Lord:

Lagna lord, Mars in 12 house, the house that rules foreign journeys including
space travels.
Mars is afflicted because of combustion and with debilitated Mercury. Saturns 7
aspect on Mars and 12 house.

Jupiters good aspect on mars and 12 house. Mars is Vargottama. Mars is medium
strength.

Sun:

Sun is similarly disposed as Mars and Sun is in Vargottama as well.

Sun is pisces not favorable for long journeys.

Moon: It is in waxing phase, which is preferred for travel, especially for first
journeys. Star is Pushya, favourable star for journeys.

Panchaka = 5 [Favourable]

Lord of Pushya, Saturn benefits from conjunction of Jupiter, also the aspect of
vargottama Sun, Mars and suffers from aspect of debilitated Mercury.

In the Navamsa Saturn suffers on the account of being debilitated but gains
strength due to its conjunction with Venus. The Nakshatra lord is better disposed
than it is worse, but its debilitation is sure to cause setback and trouble. The
Moon itself is not well disposed at all, it is with Rahu, a big no-no. The afflictions
to the Nakshatra lord and serious affliction to the Moon give room for serious
trouble at a later flight. The Tithi is the 9th, a Rikta (empty) Tithi not suited for
traveling at all.

The Karana is the favorable Kaulava, ruled by Mars. Mars disposition has already
been mentioned. Though having some favorable influences, its combustion and
Rasi aspect from Saturn indicates that proper actions will not be taken to
maintain the well-being and success of the Columbia, which have resulted in the
explosion (combustion) of a latter Columbia. The favorable influences upon Mars
indicate that enough proper actions have been taken to result in some success,
but the first launch with these afflictions is sure to catch up at an appropriate
time.

The Vara is of the Sun, which is said to cause waste, and not favorable for
traveling. Fortunately, the Suns Vara with Pushya is Sarvartha Siddha Yoga, so the
Vara becomes favorable. The lord of the Vara, the Sun, is mediocre, as mentioned
above. The afflictions to the Sun, especially by that of Saturn who is debilitated in
the Navamsa, indicates that the vitality, or life, of the Columbia is not strong, and
that it will eventually fall apart.

The Navamsa Lagna is of Mercury, which is favorable for travel. Mercury benefits
by Jupiters Rasi aspect in the Rasi and from Venuss in the Navamsa, but suffers
on the account of the Rasi aspect of Saturn in both
the Rasi and its conjunction with Rahu. Again, there is room for success, but also
trouble.

Two benefics in the angles very much helps the Columbia, but equally Rahu and
Ketu in the angles show potential for trouble. Saturn in the 6th helps the
Columbia to manage some success. There are, however, all too many planets in
the 12th Bhava, which for space travel is not generally problematic except for the
fact that Mercury is debilitated there, and Mars is combust, both of which harm
the 12th Bhava and indicate wasted expense, less success in space, and the
possibility of loss.
For the first journey, the afflictions of Jupiter and Venus must not be present,
Venus is favorable, but Jupiter in an enemys Rasi and retrograde, indicating that
the idealism and purpose of the Columbia and the space shuttle program will not
be realized.