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Shuttle investigators to hear spending, safety trade-offs
Washington, June 12: The board investigating the fiery breakup of the space shuttle Columbia will hear top space experts describe trade-offs Nasa has made to balance safety and spending and then retreat behind closed doors to prepare its formal report.
Washington, June 12: The board investigating the fiery breakup of the space shuttle Columbia will hear top space experts describe trade-offs Nasa has made to balance safety and spending and then retreat behind closed doors to prepare its formal report.
With the mystery of Columbia`s destruction on Feb. 1 largely solved, investigators have started work on draft versions of their final report, expected to include broad criticisms of Nasa`s judgment, budget and management of the shuttle program.
A final public hearing was set to begin today in Washington.
The 13-member columbia accident investigation board, after four months of study, has already expressed concerns about the space agency`s dwindling budgets over the past decade and the nation aeronautics and space administration`s alternating control over shuttles between managers at its Johnson Space Center in Houstn and its Washington headquarters.
Both subjects were expected to emerge during today` hearing. Witnesses include Marcia Smith, an expert on American`s space program at the congressional research service, which quietly advises lawmakers on policy issues; and Russell Turner, a former chief executive at the United Space Alliance, Nasa`s primary shuttle contractor.
Investigators believe a chunk of insulating foam smashed against Columbia`s left wing roughly 81 seconds after liftoff, loosening a protective panel on the wing`s leading edge. That permitted sering temperatures to penetrate the spacecraft during its fiery return 16 days later.
Bureau Report
A final public hearing was set to begin today in Washington.
The 13-member columbia accident investigation board, after four months of study, has already expressed concerns about the space agency`s dwindling budgets over the past decade and the nation aeronautics and space administration`s alternating control over shuttles between managers at its Johnson Space Center in Houstn and its Washington headquarters.
Both subjects were expected to emerge during today` hearing. Witnesses include Marcia Smith, an expert on American`s space program at the congressional research service, which quietly advises lawmakers on policy issues; and Russell Turner, a former chief executive at the United Space Alliance, Nasa`s primary shuttle contractor.
Investigators believe a chunk of insulating foam smashed against Columbia`s left wing roughly 81 seconds after liftoff, loosening a protective panel on the wing`s leading edge. That permitted sering temperatures to penetrate the spacecraft during its fiery return 16 days later.
Bureau Report