NASA Space Shuttle Thermal Protection Issues Date Back to Early 70s, Research Finds

8/28/2003

From: Scott Sacknoff of SpaceBusiness.com, 703-524-2766

WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 -- The newly released issue of "Quest: The History of Spaceflight" features an article that reveals that problems with the Space Shuttle's Thermal Protection System date back to the original design concept. Written by Brian Woods, a fellow at the University of York in the U.K., the research covers the period from 1970 to 1981 and discusses the technical difficulties and management processes that were involved.

Prior to its release, the article was made available to NASA for its investigation into the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.

The release of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) report on Tuesday concluded that the Space Shuttle Columbia accident was due to design and management problems. Likewise, a recent documentary aired on British TV that concluded that the accident was the result of 'flawed design'.

According to Quest's Publisher, Scott Sacknoff, 'the timing of this issue could not be more relevant. The article provides further insight and background on the issue and reaches similar conclusions."

Now in its 10th year of publication, "Quest" (http://www.spacebusiness.com/quest) is the only journal exclusively dedicated to preserving the history of spaceflight and features stories that cover civil, military, and commercial programs, people, missions, and technology. Copies of the issue (Vol 10 number 3) are available for $10. via the bookstore at http://www.SpaceBusiness.com. A one-year U.S. subscription to Quest costs $29.95. Recent issues of Quest have featured an interview with Neil Armstrong and the memoirs of Valentina Tereshkova.

For more information, please contact Scott Sacknoff at quest(at)spacebusiness.com or via telephone at 703-524-2766.