Tag Archives: Columbia Accident

After Ten Years: A Few Words from Admiral Gehman

Posted on November 12, 2012 by waynehale

I’d like to interrupt my personal recollections of the Columbia accident and its aftermath to give a few words from Admiral Gehman.  You might as well know that there are still people out there who will tell you the CAIB … Continue reading →

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After Ten Years: Flying A Mature Vehicle – Or Not

Posted on November 6, 2012 by waynehale

  “The Space Shuttle is an experimental vehicle with an operational mission” – NASA Deputy Associate Administrator Michael Kostelnik, 2004 The Space Shuttle system was under development for 13 years and then actually flew in space for over 30 years.  … Continue reading →

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Ten Years After Columbia: Pennywise and Pound Foolish

Posted on October 26, 2012 by waynehale

“Relentless budget reduction pressures necessitate more dramatic program actions” – Brewster Shaw, Space Shuttle Program Manager, December 1994 Polls show that the general populace rates the Internal Revenue Service as the most disliked agency in the US Federal government.  Among … Continue reading →

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After Ten Years: The Tyranny of Requirements

Posted on October 7, 2012 by waynehale

My good friend and colleague from the Flight Director’s office, Jeff Bantle, left the agency several years ago to head up Lockheed-Martin’s Presidential Helicopter project.  He now has a great presentation talk about how incrementally added requirements can sink a … Continue reading →

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Ten Years After Columbia: Balancing Work and Life

Posted on September 23, 2012 by waynehale

2002 was a tumultuous year in my personal life.  Last time I wrote about my work, my career, as a Space Shuttle Flight Director.  It was always more than a 40 hour a week job.  The question is how much … Continue reading →

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Ten Years After Columbia: Balancing Life and Work

Posted on September 19, 2012 by waynehale

When you are in a High Reliability Organization, you have to pay attention.  The more extreme the risk, the more difficult the environment, the more complex the technology, the more attention you must pay.  But life intrudes.  As the song … Continue reading →

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After Ten Years – Dramatis Personae Part 1

Posted on August 19, 2012 by waynehale

Space Shuttle Program Management Council after Columbia In this picture from left to right:  Joyce Rozewski, Lee Norbraten, Sandy Coleman, Steve Doering, Jim Halsell, Dorothy Rasco, Bob Cabana, Steve Brettle, Dave Martin, Lambert Austin, Mike Wetmore, Bill Harris, Parker Counts, Ralph … Continue reading →

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After Ten Years – Why Write Now?

Posted on August 14, 2012 by waynehale

Two years, ten years, and passengers ask the conductor:  What place is this?  Where are we now?  I am the grass; I cover all.         – Carl Sandburg, “Grass” 1918 Very recently, my 7 year old grandson was traveling with his parents through the … Continue reading →

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