Columbia memory lingers as NASA evaluates manned missions

On the first anniversary of the Columbia space shuttle disaster, NASA is fraught with questions about what happened one year ago and about the future of its manned space missions. A memorial for the crew of the space shuttle will be dedicated today at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C., by NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe. The memorial will be unveiled next to the monument for the crew of the Challenger space shuttle. \nThe Columbia Accident Investigation Board determined that debris had hit Columbia's left wing during liftoff, creating a small hole. The hole allowed super-heated air to enter the wing 17 days later during reentry into earth's atmosphere, leading to the subsequent breakup of the space shuttle. \nCatherine Pilachowski, IU professor of astronomy, said the Columbia accident had several consequences for NASA. Not only did NASA lose seven astronauts and a space shuttle, but the accident also forced NASA to halt and reevaluate several of its future manned missions, Pilachowski said. \n"The loss of the shuttle really impacted NASA. In fact, they haven't flown a shuttle since then," she said. "They are just beginning now to deal with safety issues in getting the shuttle fleet back into operation."\nAstronomy Professor Stuart Mufson said the accident underscored serious problems at NASA.\n"NASA looked pretty pathetic," he said. "Whether (the engineers) could have done something about it or not, they choose not to even check it out." \nThe CAIB faults NASA's safety culture and said in the report of its official inquiry: "The NASA organizational culture had as much to do with this accident as the foam (debris)." \nNASA has, since the accident, grounded its entire fleet of space shuttles. Recently, NASA officials have indicated that once they resume, manned space missions will travel exclusively to the International Space Station. The ISS is equipped with an emergency vehicle that can be used by astronauts to return safely to Earth.\nMufson added he understands NASA's concerns about sending astronauts on risky missions and the limitations of the space shuttles. \nFreshman Constance Renkenberger said she remembers when the space shuttle broke apart last year. \n"It was very sad seeing the families and knowing that a lot of people had to deal with the loss of a friend or family member. When putting human lives on the line for something like that they should definitely be more cautious. I hope they are in the future," she said. \nPilachowski said she doubts space travel can ever be completely safe, but she added it is important to continue exploration of the solar system. \n"I don't think it is possible to say such an accident won't happen again. I think NASA is taking every step that is humanly possible," she said. \n-- Contact staff writer Rami Chami at rchami@indiana.edu.