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!