Risks Reduced – and Risks That Remain

Ready for liftoff, CNN

“But after Columbia, some say, the agency may have finally started listening.Maybe the point wasn’t driven completely home with Challenger, but it certainly was with Columbia,” said Keith Cowing, a former NASA scientist who now runs the independent watchdog publication nasawatch.com. “It certainly seems that the senior management gets it. Whether it has filtered down to everyone involved … it’s a bureaucracy, and it probably never will, but there are some changes.”

Countdown Begins for Space Shuttle’s First Flight Since 2003, Washington Post

“Space aficionados inside and outside NASA agree that the agency has dramatically reduced the risk of another Columbia-style catastrophe, but it has not reduced it to zero, nor has it made the shuttle “safe.”

Widow supports NASA mission, Houston Chronicle

“I’m not concerned about the next few flights,” [Rona Ramon] said. “It will be very safe. I’m concerned about the flights in 15 years. I’m afraid that the bureaucracy of the organization will come back to the same place as they were.“

Shuttle crew families are unconvinced by Nasa’s ‘improvements’ on eve of launch, The Telegraph

“Dr [Jon] Clark has reservations, however. He believes that Nasa is “making appearances of improvement” but failing to deliver meaningful change. “That bothers me immensely,” he says. “Everything is about return to flight and nothing is about return to right.”

Seven astronauts braving unknown on NASA’s return to space, AP

“The 48-year-old commander, married to a commercial airline pilot, has assured her 9-year-old daughter that she’ll return safely. Her 4-year-old son is too young to understand. “I’m doing this mission because this is something I believe in and we need to carry on the mission of the Columbia crew,” Collins said she told her daughter.”

Discovery Launch Date Reopens Wounds, AP

“Audrey McCool, the mother of Columbia astronaut William McCool, said her son would have hated the shuttle program to end because of Columbia. Space exploration was important to him and she is happy NASA may soon return to flight. Doug Brown said his brother, David, knew he was involved in a risky business, but had a “need to explore, which he got through NASA.”

As NASA evolves, what will replace the shuttle?, Houston Chronicle

“We’ve got to do dangerous things,” [Fred] Gregory said. “We’ve got to take risks.”

Powerful propulsion system poses risks, Orlando Sentinel

Is the shuttle safer?, Orlando Sentinel

“NASA documents obtained by the Sentinel show that because the shuttle program can’t certify that the orbiter and boosters are safe from tank debris, the agency is modifying the requirement and “accepts the remaining residual risk from liberated debris for return to flight.” The change represents an admission by NASA that it is impossible to completely end the threat.”

4 in Mourning Deal With Shuttle’s Return, AP

“[Dr. Jon] Clark, 52, vows he will never work another space shuttle mission as a flight surgeon. Columbia’s flight _ with his wife on board _ was his last. One aspect of me says move on, and the other says well, you know, you’ve got to show your support,” Clark says. “Really, the support I’m showing is for the crew and their bravery.” He continues to be troubled by what he believes is NASA “making appearances of improvement” without substantive change. “That bothers me immensely.”