Space shuttle launches may resume next spring | Houston Chronicle

[Ediacara]

Space shuttle launches may resume next spring

By MARK CARREAU
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle

NASA has satisfied three of 15 criteria required to resume space shuttle launches next year, an oversight panel said Friday.

The space agency has targeted a launch, its first since the Feb. 1, 2003, Columbia accident, for next spring, between March 6 and April 18.

But first it must make improvements and procedural changes to satisfy the findings of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.

"The progress that has been made in implementing the recommendations of the CAIB are substantial." said Richard Covey, the former astronaut who co-chairs the Return to Flight Task Force that monitors NASA's efforts. "They still have much work to do before they are truly ready to return to flight."

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[DeaconBlues]

1. Is anyone else saddened by the fact that

our country has deteriorated so much under Bush's handling that we can't even put an astronaut into space anymore?

[Trajan]

2. I sent numerous Apps to Florida over a year ago ...

BEFORE I was laid off from Autonetics .... Never heard a thing ....

I used to work on the SS: first in Downey in the '80's .... then again in Palmdale in the '90's ...

I was a pretty damned good ET (shuttle workers would know the CDR, PLT and VES designations), and the SS work was CERTAINLY interesting ...

Unfortunately: nearly ALL SS workers have been tossed to the wayside, and if they feel like me: they will never go back ...

Too bad: we have the expertise, and yet it is us, the skilled workers (I had 25 years experience) who were cast off ....

I cant imagine anyone who has been out of work for over a year waited around for the call back: will they leave their new jobs for another stint at Space Division: only to fear future layoff again ? ..

I greatly doubt it ...

I loved the job: but HATED the insecurity ....

[PfcHammer]

3. i think repug's primary interest is in weapons. less so for the science

[Wright Patman]

4. Launches may resume,

but when will one ever successfully reenter the atmosphere, much less land?