GRAHAM WARWICK / WASHINGTON DC
NASA's technical progress outstrips changes required in culture and management
NASA is making progress with technical changes required to return the Space Shuttle to flight, but is lagging in the cultural and management changes called for by the Columbia accident investigation board, according to the group charged with assessing implementation of the recommendations.
"Not surprisingly, progress on the many recommendations is uneven," says the interim report of the Stafford-Covey return-to-flight task group. "Several technical responses to specific recommendations have made substantial progress, although none have been completed." These include redesign of the external tank to reduce debris shedding; non-destructive inspection of reinforced carbon-carbon panels; and imaging of the ascent with cameras on the ground and on the orbiter, external tank and solid rocket boosters.
NASA has not provided detailed plans for many of the recommendations, the report says, and "has not been timely" in responding to some task group requests for information. Plans for an independent technical engineering authority are still "in development"; NASA's implementation plan for an independent safety and mission assurance organisation is "missing critical elements"; and its detailed plan for organisational change is "undeveloped", says the report.
NASA is planning to return the Shuttle to flight with the STS 114/Atlantis test flight no earlier than 12 September, followed by STS 121/Discovery no earlier than 15 November and STS 115/Atlantis no earlier than 10 February 2005.
NASA has created the Office of Exploration Systems, led by former US Navy admiral Craig Steidle, to direct the new space plan unveiled by President Bush. An Office of Aeronautics, led by Victor Lebacqz, will oversee aviation research.Source: Flight International
