Space Forum / Shuttle / August 2003

Forgive me for jumping into this debate WAY late in the game, but what
is the significance of this SRB crossing that John Maxson is always
talking about? I've watched the tapes and I don't see it. Even if they
did cross, what would be so significant about it anyways?

Something the CAIB glosses over, (the full Benchmark report may cover
it, but I've not yet read it)...
*Everyone* on the boat, from the newest nub to the CO in inculcated in
safety principles and is made aware that they personally are part of

Let me say again:
At no point does The Betrayal of Mission 51-L state that
cryogenic cold-soaking of Challenger's left SRB caused
it to burn through, as Roger Balettie has falsely alleged

Al Feinberg
Headquarters, Washington                     August 29, 2003
(Phone: 202/358-4504)
RELEASE: 03-278

Allard Beutel
Headquarters, Washington
(Phone: 202/358-4769)                       August 27, 2003
James Hartsfield

For as long as he was governor of Texas,  George W. Bush NEVER visited
the Johnston Space Flight Center....never

Anyone surprised to see bolt catchers werent a required fix before return to
flight? Only recommended long term.

The final report of the investigation of the Columbia accedent has now been
issued:
http://lfd.streamos.com/caib/report/web/chapters/chapter3.pdf
Several people, starting with Steven Milloy, have blamed the accedent on a

I'll be quick about this suggestion. This rcc is one of the biggest ones, it
seems, surely there should have been another support on such a large item
that is so brittle? Could this maybe be now done?
Brian

The AOL 9 is working good.  Would not recommend deleting it.  You still have 2/3
disk space available. Use AOL 6 but if you delete AOL 9 it can mess up the
computer.
I left a question for the AOL tech people.  If you get an e-mail from them

If you want to grill Linda Ham and the other managers of STS-107,
or to blame it on NASA communication errors, just wait a minute.
I see indications that perhaps something different happend.
All citations are from CAIB Final Report Vol. 1.

JimO: Please forgive the tone of this brag -- I think it's timely.
Today's 'Washington Post' (Aug 24) has a long narrative of the sequence of
events that led to the loss of space shuttle 'Columbia' on February 1. Of
particular interest is Sawyer's comments, "The ... predictions ...

Admiral Gehman has made the right assessment of NASA, attributing the
loss of Columbia to the "culture" at NASA.  Still, though he has
pointed the bayonette, he hasn't driven it home, with a malicious
twist.  I will do so now.

Crater actually written by Apollo engineers! Once again, the guys with
the horn-rimmed glasses and pocket protectors of the '60s shine while
our generation fizzles. Originally written to predict outcomes of
micrometeoroid strikes, then rewritten for small (1") ice, foam or

If you have worked for NASA/contractor:
Were your conclusions accepted as is, or were you expected to cough up
all related papers (raw data, which tests/equations used, discussions
with colleagues) to back up your claim?