General Disputes NASA OIG on Launch Decision
Former general defends 2002 launch – Donald Pettit disputes NASA investigators’ claims, Orlando Sentinel
“Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Donald Pettit this week defended his decision to proceed with a June 2002 space-shuttle launch despite “no go” votes from two top safety officers. While acknowledging the move was unprecedented, Pettit denied the public was exposed to added risk as a result. He said he carefully weighed a number of factors, including unspecified potential security threats nine months after the 9-11 terrorist attacks, before giving the go-ahead for liftoff.”