NASA remains on track to getting the space shuttle off the ground on schedule in March or April 2005, the Return to Flight Task Group has reported.
The agency has made substantial progress in implementing the recommendations of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB). But task group co-chairman Richard Covey cautions that 鈥渢hey still have much work to do鈥�.
NASA has now met three of the 15 recommendations CAIB said were essential before launching the next shuttle flight. These relate to inspection plans for thermal protection systems, foam insulation and flight hardware, and to auditing procedures. 鈥淎 number of others are close,鈥� Covey added.
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But some remain further off, including the critical task of developing techniques to inspect the shuttle鈥檚 heat-resistant outer layer whilst in orbit. This issue is the biggest concern for meeting the target launch date, Covey says.
Morale problems
Management reforms could also pose an issue, because creating new task groups drains people from other parts of NASA. Dan Crippen, chair of the management panel, told a Friday press conference he was more concerned about the need for personnel than about the money budgeted for returning to flight. 鈥淲e鈥檙e watching to be sure NASA doesn鈥檛 elevate the risk鈥� by running short of people.
The panel reported no sign of morale problems, and said it heard no complaints about overwork or organisational problems.
However, a few days before, Behavioral Science Technology, a management consulting firm, concluded otherwise. 鈥淧eople do not feel respected or appreciated by the organisation,鈥� it warned in a 145-page report.
It said that NASA鈥檚 present culture 鈥渄oes not yet fully reflect the Agency鈥檚 espoused core values of safety, people, excellence, and integrity,鈥� and recommended management coaching for everyone from NASA chief Sean O鈥橩eefe down.
The big question is whether or not time spent addressing these management issues will help the agency meet its 2005 target for launching Discovery.