Space shuttle Columbia and its crew of seven were the victims of scientific malfeasance, a failure to heed the lessons of the past and political doublespeak. So says a 248-page report by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.

The report is a stinging indictment of NASA, its culture and its management, including government officials responsible for the agency’s funding and oversight. NASA needs an overhaul of its structure and attitude, and clear direction from policymakers.

According to the report, engineers at NASA were aware of the dangers posed by the foam insulation that crashed into the shuttle’s wing and led to its demise. But the agency allowed a kind of blind faith to outweigh the evidence. “Go fever” had taken hold. The assumption was that systems were safe; skeptical scientists had to prove they were unsafe before anything would be done. Space travel is inherently dangerous and the burden of proof should always rest on the side of caution.

Many of these institutional problems were discovered after the 1986 explosion of the shuttle Challenger. But the promised reform and a renewed commitment to safety did not materialize.

Public support for the program has continued to fade and NASA’s budget is the proof. While politicians love the image of space exploration, the daring astronaut blasting off in the name of science and country, financial support and a vision for the future have not followed. NASA’s budget lost 13 percent of its buying power between 1990 and 2000.

When President Kennedy challenged the country to reach the moon, exploring space was about more than science and daring. It was about flexing America’s industrial and technological might. It was about overcoming a Communist foe that had taken an early lead in manned space flight. Space became a battlefield in the Cold War.

Enemies of the past are gone, and bureaucratic, arbitrary deadlines now set NASA’s operational tempo.

The nation needs to decide what it wants out of its space program, and fund NASA accordingly. And NASA must respond to the failures that have plagued the agency through two shuttle catastrophes.

Humankind’s desire for knowledge and understanding commands us to continue into space. The terms of that journey must be decided in advance, with clear goals and a clear purpose.


A good idea


When somebody new comes to town, neighbors can extend a hardy “hello” and make the newcomers feel welcome.

That’s exactly what the cities of Lewiston and Auburn, the Economic Growth Council and the county chamber of commerce did for about 400 incoming students at Bates College.

It just goes to show good ideas don’t have to be complicated.

The students took a walking tour of the downtowns Monday night and got a taste for what we have to offer. The foray included Kennedy Park, the Riverwalk, Festival Plaza and various shops, cafes and points of interest. The event culminated with a concert at the plaza.

An introduction is a great way to move past the tension that seems to develop every year between students and the communities that surround their school.

Free ice cream, a band and a little understanding can go a long way toward making the students feel like they are part of the community.

To the cities and merchants who made the night possible, congratulations. You did good. And to the new students at Bates, welcome to the Twin Cities. We’re glad you’re here.
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