spacetoday.net: CAIB recommends NASA improve shuttle photography

Posted: Wed, Jul 2, 2003, 10:24 AM ET (1424 GMT)
The Columbia Accident Investigation Board said Tuesday that NASA should take steps to improve photography of the shuttle during launch. The board, in its fourth interim recommendation in advance of its final report later this month, said that NASA should obtain at least three "useful" views of the shuttle during ascent, from launch through at least SRB separation. The board also suggested NASA consider using ships and aircraft to provide additional views. The board also noted in its recommendation that the shuttle is still "a developmental vehicle", and the agency needs to collect as much engineering data as possible from each flight. Imaging of the shuttle during Columbia's launch became an issue during the investigation when it turned out the telescopic camera with the best view of the debris striking the orbiter was out of focus.