Spacehab Files Shuttle Claim Against NASA

Reuters ^ | Tue Jan 20, 2004

[anymouse]

Spacehab Inc., a maker of living modules for the U.S. space shuttle, filed an $87.7 million formal claim against NASA on Tuesday for equipment destroyed during the Columbia disaster, citing the findings of the investigation board.

Spacehab, which had filed a draft claim in July, said it revised its newest claim to incorporate the findings of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board report.

The CAIB said in August that NASA officials missed eight chances to address fears that falling insulation foam may have damaged the shuttle, which broke apart over Texas last Feb. 1, killing all seven astronauts aboard.

The foam that tumbled from the ship's external tank just after takeoff was ultimately found to be the accident's likely cause.

Houston-based Spacehab said it was in "discussions" with NASA with the goal of settling the claim as soon as possible. NASA spokesman Doc Mirelson said he had not seen Spacehab's claim and had no immediate comment.

The company, which also trains astronauts, said its contract with NASA included a provision that accounted for loss or damage to its flight hardware up to $8 million. Spacehab's final claim also includes millions of dollars for "losses in addition to those contractually specified."

The company said in a statement it does not know when or how much it will receive for its claim from NASA.

Spacehab shares closed trading at $2.90 on Friday.

[anymouse]

It looks like Spacehab is taking on NASA. It will be interesting to see how it affects their contracts with NASA. And NASA's decision of whether or not to use of the Spacehab module in future shuttle flights.

[anymouse]

Space ping.

[Arkinsaw]

It looks like Spacehab is taking on NASA. It will be interesting to see how it affects their contracts with NASA. And NASA's decision of whether or not to use of the Spacehab module in future shuttle flights.

Is there a Spacehab module other than the one destroyed?

In any event, no Spacehab module will ever be used again. The shuttle is not going to be used for "light science" any more ever again in the small life it has remaining.

[anymouse]

Yes there is a second Spacehab module. Don't be so certain that Spacehab won't be used on an upcoming flight. The Spacehab module was scheduled to be used on the 13A.1 ISS assembly flight, but so was the Columbia shuttle.