Investigator fears more astronauts could perish

[dArKeR]

An investigator of the Columbia disaster fears more astronauts will die if NASA rushes ahead with a space shuttle launch this fall without making all the needed repairs.

"An early launch could create the same conditions which cost us 16 lives," Air Force Brig. Gen. Duane Deal said earlier this week. He was referring to the crews of the Columbia and Challenger and two men who died in a helicopter crash while searching for shuttle debris.

NASA's top spaceflight official insists, however, that the plan for resuming shuttle flights as early as September or October will be driven by milestones, not schedule. He stressed Wednesday that those months are merely planning dates.

http://www.etaiwannews.com/World/2004/02/06/1076034200.htm

Junior's doing this for his election bid. Just like Reagan's aids had it sent up for his speech against NASA's engineers' advice and then it blew up.

[Dogmudgeon]

1. Launch this FALL?

As in, right before the election?

If there are still repairs to be made, they shouldn't go.

If they need to make repairs, and they are made to go anyway, someone ought to be brought up on murder charges.

--bkl

[Lindacooks]

2. Remember when

many of us thought NASA was invincible, and would never take risks with astronauts or the space program. That was a long time ago.

[rocketdem]

3. If ever you thought that there was no risk...

...then that was your own personal delusion.

Space is always a risk. Always.