Science and Space

space and astronomy articles.

Will next shuttle flight be safe?

As NASA is preparing to fly Shuttle again, some critics contend that the agency is rushing back to the unforgiving environment of space with much of the job left undone.

The accident board which investigated Columbia tragedy recommended that NASA develop a "practicable capability" to inspect the shuttle while it is in orbit and repair damage to its thermal-protection system. NASA now says it will not be able to make any but the most minor repairs in space.

The board called for sharp reductions in the amount of foam that might fall off of the external tank and strike the tiles and panels protecting the craft, but internal agency documents suggest that NASA’s efforts to limit the size of pieces are still fraught with uncertainty.

NASA appointed a task force to monitor its progress in complying with the recommendations of the accident board. That task force, led by two former astronauts, Richard Covey and Thomas Stafford, is expected to make its final determination of NASA’s progress next month, but it already appears to be willing to allow NASA some slack.

NASA officials say that no shuttle mission can be risk-free and that the agency has generally raised safety levels enough to justify returning to flight.

posted by: kyawoo at 21:25 | link | comments |
space shuttle

Comments: