Transcript: "The Space Shuttle Columbia Accident: What's Next?"

[DanL]

Found this on today's slashdot... thought since the whole FIRST community is big into technology and the space shuttle tragedy in general, it's worth posting.

The Space Shutte Columbia Accident: What Next?

This is an edited transcript of a panel discussion Feb. 20 at Duke University's Pratt School of Engineering. The panelists were: Earl Dowell, J.A. Jones Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Sciences and dean emeritus of the Pratt School, who was on the original panel that reviewed the technology of the space shuttle's thermal protection system before the Columbia was built. Alex Roland, a Duke history professor who was a NASA historian for eight years. Al Rossiter Jr., communications director of the Pratt School, who managed the Cape Canaveral Bureau of United Press International from 1963 to 1973 and covered the space program for 25 years. He was a finalist in NASA's Journalist-in-Space program when it was canceled following the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger.

These guys talk about what's next for NASA. It's worth a read, especially the part about future spacecraft designs.

Enjoy!

[Ryan Albright]

wow that hurts my mind jsut thinking about that, they bring up good points and i just cant believe some of the stuff said in there

[Forsaken85]

They only way to really be sure is to not worry about what might be next. There will certainly be another terrorist attack because of this war with iraq. Also we will see if they fate of the world will change if saddom realeases his bio warfare apon this planet. Prepare for the competitions is what i am suggesting because then your mind will be set for it and not what is going on around us. Also it is tragic but we must move on and keep on discovering what is out there. Peace to the souls who were lost on the space shuttle.