NASA is reviewing the charter of its Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) after all nine members of the independent panel resigned following criticism of its lack of influence by the Columbia accident investigation board (CAIB) and Congress. The panel's two consultants also resigned.
In a letter to NASA administrator Sean O'Keefe, ASAP chair Shirley McCarty said the resignations would give the agency and Congress "freedom to revitalise the panel and reshape its charter and mission". In response, O'Keefe says the CAIB's findings make clear that "a wide range of oversight functions should be strengthened within the agency".
Congress chartered the ASAP after the Apollo 1 fire in 1967 to act as independent body advising NASA on safety. O'Keefe says NASA needs to explore how the original concept can be evolved to meet the agency's future needs.
Source: Flight International
