Panel: shuttle return-to-flight still faces challenges
Posted: Thu, May 20, 2004, 8:50 PM ET (0050 GMT)
An independent panel reviewing NASA's efforts to return the space shuttle program to flight believes that effort is making good progress but faces challenges that could make it difficult for the agency to meet its current schedule. The Stafford-Covey Return to Flight Task Group, led by former astronauts Thomas Stafford and Richard Covey, noted in their latest interim report that NASA has successfully implemented three of the 15 return-to-flight recommendations made by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board, and is making progress on the other 12. However, Covey told reporters that while efforts to develop an inspection boom to survey otherwise-inaccessible portions of the shuttle in orbit are on schedule, that schedule is "success-oriented" with little margin for problems. Covey said that NASA should narrow a list of alternatives should problems with the boom development persist. The shuttle is scheduled to return to flight in March 2005.
An independent panel reviewing NASA's efforts to return the space shuttle program to flight believes that effort is making good progress but faces challenges that could make it difficult for the agency to meet its current schedule. The Stafford-Covey Return to Flight Task Group, led by former astronauts Thomas Stafford and Richard Covey, noted in their latest interim report that NASA has successfully implemented three of the 15 return-to-flight recommendations made by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board, and is making progress on the other 12. However, Covey told reporters that while efforts to develop an inspection boom to survey otherwise-inaccessible portions of the shuttle in orbit are on schedule, that schedule is "success-oriented" with little margin for problems. Covey said that NASA should narrow a list of alternatives should problems with the boom development persist. The shuttle is scheduled to return to flight in March 2005.| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
SpaceX sets Nov. 18 launch date for sixth Starship test flight
Posted: Sat, Nov 9 9:57 AM ET (1457 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Friday, November 15
Sierra Space and DoE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory Revolutionizing Thermal Protection for a New Generation of Commercial Space Transportation Vehicles
Sierra Space — 6:20 am ET (1120 GMT) 1st Space Brigade bolsters tactical interoperability, integration with UK visit
US Army — 6:17 am ET (1117 GMT) US the greatest threat to space security and the biggest instigator of space arms race: Chinese Defense Ministry
Global Times — 6:17 am ET (1117 GMT) Rocket Lab to Launch Satellite Constellation Missions from Wallops Island
WBOC-TV Delmarva — 6:15 am ET (1115 GMT) AST SpaceMobile Announces Launch Services Agreements to Enable Continuous Space-Based Cellular Broadband Service Coverage
Business Wire — 6:14 am ET (1114 GMT) |
