NASA: Gases Breached Shuttle Wing in 2000

Associated Press ^ | 7/8/03 | TED BRIDIS

[XBob]

my major initial impression on the first press conference, where the foam was dismissed, is that the one delivering the pronouncement was a fool, who know knew nothing about what was going on. similar idiotic statements in the next 2 or 3 conferences confirmed it.

[Mr. K]

that is the only part that bothers me- space flight is dangerous, and they brave flyers know and accept that- but the CYA mentality is even more dangerous.

[DoughtyOne]

To: ironman; Erik Latranyi; DoughtyOne

what crap - "First of all I don't think the NASA Director made any such statements the day of the disaster. The Shuttle Flight Director was highly skeptical that the foam incident was the "root cause." But I think you will find that the analysis that was done did indicate some damage was likely to have ocurred."

We have an engineering/science project here - not a clinton political lying press conference. He stood up there plain as day and dismissed the foam as a cause in the very first press conference.

45 posted on 07/08/2003 9:02 PM PDT by XBob
 

To: ironman

my major initial impression on the first press conference, where the foam was dismissed, is that the one delivering the pronouncement was a fool, who know knew nothing about what was going on. similar idiotic statements in the next 2 or 3 conferences confirmed it.

61 posted on 07/09/2003 10:07 AM PDT by XBob
 

I agree with your sentiments, but think you're being too generous in the second response.  Instilling ignorance here implies innocence.  I am not convinced of that by any means.  These folks ignored a potential threat to the orbiter and tried to downplay the significance of that.  Ron Dittimore most certainly knew better than what he was trying to pass off on 02/01/2003.  At least that's my take.  He's no dummy.  I still maintain that his actions on 02/01/2003 were dictated by malfeasance by NASA personnel prior to that.

[DoughtyOne]

You're right. Safety was ignored. Cover-up was predestined, when the proverbial stuff finally hit the fan.

[XBob]

63 - "He's no dummy. I still maintain that his actions on 02/01/2003 were dictated by malfeasance by NASA personnel prior to that."

I maintain my opinion. I have worked in that 'Osterich' culture, and know what it is like. The sharpest knives in the drawer are not promoted to the top positions. Promotion comes from longevity, and PRESERVING YOUR BOSS'S SWIMMING POOL, until the pool boy becomes boss.

I experienced too many times, "shut up. we don't want to hear about that." It is finally why I left, purposeful ignorance.

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks for the inside perspective. I recognize the sense of what you are saying. I have seen the same mindset in the private sector. Management quite often doesn't want to hear alternative views.

[XBob]

66 - this is different, however, not 'alternative' views, but 'true' views, which down the road are proven correct.

This whole fiasco here about the foam is typical. Several of us identified the cause of the problem as the foam, immediately, while NASA management didn't want to hear it, and in fact denied it was related to the problem, and then wen off merrily chasing meteorites as the cause of the damage. Now, 6 months later, they are finally being forced (kicking and screaming) to confront what we said 6 months ago.

It is also a difference in mind set - Firemen (mgmt) vs. Smokey the Bear (us). "Put out forest fires", it makes you a hero vs. "prevent forest fires", dull and no hero medals but far more effective.

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks. I appreciate your comments.

[First_Salute]

If I may extend your remarks, Ahem...

[snopercod]

Thanks. The silence was becoming deafening...

[snopercod]

No comment on #13?

[XBob]

somehow I missed this one. thanks.

[XBob]

21 - "As I recall, the ones I shot occurred in the gap-filler area of the tiles. Perhaps missing or damaged gap-filler."

As I recall, gap filler problems were the reason the Russians shuttle couldn't safely fly.

[snopercod]

Yeah, bones must have missed #21, too...

[snopercod]

I too am amazed at what people who call themselves Conservatives are willing to sign on to.

In this old post, you predicted the Schwarzanegger victory! Very good.

[HamiltonJay]

Age of manned riding rockets into space and back again, is coming to an end, within next 25-30 years it will likely be a thing of the past.

[anymouse]

Man riding expendable rockets (munitions) into space may well be phased out - once safer reusable launch vehicles become cost effective.

[B-Chan]

Flying the remaining Shuttles with crews is madness. NASA should ground the whole fleet permanently and offer a guarantee to buy launch services from a private company instead.

Fourteen dead astronauts are proof that the Shuttle has outlived its usefulness. Not one more life lost to the Orbiter Orphanmaker!

[Jeff Gordon]

Why has Dan Golden not been indicted?

[bonesmccoy]

I saw a couple of postings in the thread from you.

I missed this thread somehow.

It looks like we're not the only ones who missed the significance of a six inch piece of ice hitting the right wing.

It looks like NASA did the right thing on the mission, but didn't do the correct thing after the mission (figure out why a six inch piece of ice hit the wing in the first place).

As we are chanting, "FIX THE FOAM"