NASA: Shuttle to Take Off Despite Concerns

**Donger** · 06-28-2005, 12:49 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050628/...ltBHNlYwM3MTY-

WASHINGTON - U.S. astronauts will blast back into space in a matter of weeks, the head of
NASA said Tuesday, despite a new, critical report questioning the safety of this exploration.

The optimistic assessment from NASA administrator Michael Griffin came after a task force review said Monday that the agency failed to meet key safety recommendations the came about as a result of the Columbia tragedy.

"We look like we're in pretty good shape. ... Based on what I know now, we're ready to go," Griffin told the House Science Committee.

Top shuttle managers are conducting a flight readiness review this week in hopes of launching the shuttle Discovery as early as July 13, the first mission since Columbia broke apart during re-entry on Feb 1, 2003, killing all seven astronauts aboard.

A task force formed after the accident held its final meeting Monday night, and concluded that the space agency still does not fully comply with three of the toughest recommendations that accident investigators made in 2003.

The task force determined that NASA has put off long-term improvements to the shuttle's thermal shielding, thus failing to improve its ability to make emergency repairs in space. But the group also acknowledged that delaying a summer launch a few months would not significantly reduce the risks of such space flight.

Columbia crashed after a suitcase-sized chunk of insulating foam tore off its external fuel tank during liftoff and pierced the left wing, damage that proved fatal when the spaceship returned to Earth's atmosphere.

The shuttle program's planned return to space in May was scrubbed over concerns about possible ice buildup on a fuel tank.

Griffin, the agency's 11th administrator, was greeted warmly by lawmakers who warned him that NASA faces tough decisions ahead on how to balance its long-term plans of retiring the space shuttles, conducting further work on the international space station, creating a new manned space mission vehicle and beginning the work on a mission to Mars.

Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (news, bio, voting record), R-N.Y., said the agency was "pretty much flying blind right now."

"NASA can barely give a definitive answer to a single question about its programs. That is not, believe it or not, a criticism," said Boehlert.

Aside from the scientific and budgetary challenges facing NASA, the lawmakers also wrestled with a looming geopolitical roadblock to U.S.-Russia cooperation on the
International Space Station.

The
Iran Non-Proliferation Act would effectively bar U.S. astronauts from staying on the space station after April of next year. The bill, passed in 2000, had aimed to prevent Russia from helping Iran expand its nascent nuclear program.

The measure has clearly failed, said Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (news, bio, voting record), who blamed both the previous and current administrations for not making effective overtures to the Iranians.

"It was a worthy effort at the time," Rohrabacher, R-Calif, said of the law. "The strategy has, however, not worked."

Both NASA and the State Department now support an amendment that would allow the U.S. to maintain its involvement with the space station. If such an amendment is not passed by Congress, the only U.S. involvement with the space station would be when a U.S. vessel is actually docked there.

**Saulbadguy** · 06-28-2005, 12:50 PM

When are they building a new shuttle?

**Donger** · 06-28-2005, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saulbadguy

When are they building a new shuttle?

Hopefully never.

**Saulbadguy** · 06-28-2005, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Hopefully never.

Well, I hope they never build one like the ones they have in "service" now. I've been wanting them to produce a long range transport...

ROYC75 · 06-28-2005, 12:53 PM

Good question......

For the right fee, I'll call a guy I know who works there.

whoman69 · 06-28-2005, 12:54 PM

An alternative to the shuttle needs to be found. The only advantage of the shuttle is its payload size and reusability. But the flights are so rough on the equipment, that cost is prohibitive.

**Donger** · 06-28-2005, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoman69

An alternative to the shuttle needs to be found. The only advantage of the shuttle is its payload size and reusability. But the flights are so rough on the equipment, that cost is prohibitive.

Plus they have a nasty tendency to blow up.

jcl-kcfan2 · 06-28-2005, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Plus they have a nasty tendency to blow up.

idjit...

Brock · 06-28-2005, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Plus they have a nasty tendency to blow up.

And airliners have a tendency to crash into the ground.

**Donger** · 06-28-2005, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcl-kcfan2

idjit...

Pardon me?

**ptlyon** · 06-28-2005, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Pardon me?

Excuse me, I speak jive...

He's calling you an idjit, idjit.

**Donger** · 06-28-2005, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

And airliners have a tendency to crash into the ground.

Let's see. There have been 112 shuttle flights, and two of those ended with a lost ship and crew.

How many fatal accidents happen per 112 airliner flights?

whoman69 · 06-28-2005, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptlyon

Excuse me, I speak jive...

He's calling you an idjit, idjit.

Glad to have that cleared up. I was confused as well.

**Donger** · 06-28-2005, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptlyon

Excuse me, I speak jive...

He's calling you an idjit, idjit.

Yes, I knew that. I was asking why.

"Johnny! How about some coffee?"

whoman69 · 06-28-2005, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Let's see. There have been 112 shuttle flights, and two of those ended with a lost ship and crew.

How many fatal accidents happen per 112 airliner flights?

I would also have to take into account the number of people who die in a plane crash compared to a shuttle crash. The point in favor of the airlines is they don't have months to prepare for each mission.

06-28-2005, 12:49 PM
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $10239900 VARSITY	NASA: Shuttle to Take Off Despite Concerns http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050628/...ltBHNlYwM3MTY- WASHINGTON - U.S. astronauts will blast back into space in a matter of weeks, the head of NASA said Tuesday, despite a new, critical report questioning the safety of this exploration. The optimistic assessment from NASA administrator Michael Griffin came after a task force review said Monday that the agency failed to meet key safety recommendations the came about as a result of the Columbia tragedy. "We look like we're in pretty good shape. ... Based on what I know now, we're ready to go," Griffin told the House Science Committee. Top shuttle managers are conducting a flight readiness review this week in hopes of launching the shuttle Discovery as early as July 13, the first mission since Columbia broke apart during re-entry on Feb 1, 2003, killing all seven astronauts aboard. A task force formed after the accident held its final meeting Monday night, and concluded that the space agency still does not fully comply with three of the toughest recommendations that accident investigators made in 2003. The task force determined that NASA has put off long-term improvements to the shuttle's thermal shielding, thus failing to improve its ability to make emergency repairs in space. But the group also acknowledged that delaying a summer launch a few months would not significantly reduce the risks of such space flight. Columbia crashed after a suitcase-sized chunk of insulating foam tore off its external fuel tank during liftoff and pierced the left wing, damage that proved fatal when the spaceship returned to Earth's atmosphere. The shuttle program's planned return to space in May was scrubbed over concerns about possible ice buildup on a fuel tank. Griffin, the agency's 11th administrator, was greeted warmly by lawmakers who warned him that NASA faces tough decisions ahead on how to balance its long-term plans of retiring the space shuttles, conducting further work on the international space station, creating a new manned space mission vehicle and beginning the work on a mission to Mars. Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (news, bio, voting record), R-N.Y., said the agency was "pretty much flying blind right now." "NASA can barely give a definitive answer to a single question about its programs. That is not, believe it or not, a criticism," said Boehlert. Aside from the scientific and budgetary challenges facing NASA, the lawmakers also wrestled with a looming geopolitical roadblock to U.S.-Russia cooperation on the International Space Station. The Iran Non-Proliferation Act would effectively bar U.S. astronauts from staying on the space station after April of next year. The bill, passed in 2000, had aimed to prevent Russia from helping Iran expand its nascent nuclear program. The measure has clearly failed, said Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (news, bio, voting record), who blamed both the previous and current administrations for not making effective overtures to the Iranians. "It was a worthy effort at the time," Rohrabacher, R-Calif, said of the law. "The strategy has, however, not worked." Both NASA and the State Department now support an amendment that would allow the U.S. to maintain its involvement with the space station. If such an amendment is not passed by Congress, the only U.S. involvement with the space station would be when a U.S. vessel is actually docked there.
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06-28-2005, 12:50 PM	#2
Saulbadguy When a nightmare becomes real Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $2526966	When are they building a new shuttle? __________________ http://www.goemaw.com
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06-28-2005, 12:53 PM	#5
ROYC75 Time For Your Wake Up Call !!! Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Barn Yard Casino cash: $5579400	Good question...... For the right fee, I'll call a guy I know who works there. __________________ Our society is run by insane people for insane objectives. I think we're being run by maniacs for maniacal ends and I think I'm liable to be put away as insane for expressing that. That's what's insane about it. John Lennon
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