Posted on 05/12/2003 8:54:51 PM PDT by anymouse
Edited on 04/13/2004 1:40:39 AM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
Little more than three months ago, seven astronauts paid with their lives to remind space officials that spaceflight is unforgiving. Tolerance of any level of malfunction is a recipe for eventual disaster.
Now it appears that this lesson still hasn't soaked into the consciousness of some top officials. A serious flaw in a computer that guides the landing of Russia's spaceships
(Excerpt) Read more at usatoday.com ...
In case no one noticed, this is indicative of a systemic acceptance of risk in both the US and Russian programs. Seems the dew of the "derring-do" has evaporated, leaving only the daring to its sometimes fatal results.
XBob and Bones have it right:
This time, the Soyuz crew members, presumably still running on adrenaline after the exciting landing, can be forgiven for their own exuberant comments about the thrill of their "test flight" and its unexpected stresses. They deserve the right to elated exaggerations, but their top managers don't.
Fix the Foam.
[If you want off or on my Columbia ping list, let me know. FReegards.]
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