In the event of future space flight accidents, there's need for NASA
(news
- web
sites) to step completely out of the way and let a truly independent
investigation proceed.
That's the view of Rep.Bart Gordon (D-Tennessee), introducing House
Resolution 2450: The Human Space Flight Independent Investigation
Commission Act.
Gordon is the senior Democrat on the House Subcommittee on Space and
Aeronautics. The legislator introduced the bill on June 12, a resolution
crafted to assure that future human space flight accident investigations
are truly independent.
Smell test
The lawmaker has been less than pleased with the internal intricacies
of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB). Gordon warned NASA
earlier this year that the CAIB charter "just doesn't pass the smell
test."
Retired Admiral Hal Gehman chairs the 13-person CAIB, now based in
Washington, D.C. and busily wrapping up its inquiry into the loss of space
shuttle Columbia and crew on February 1.
Among the board members is Scott Hubbard, Director of the NASA Ames
Research Center. Board support includes ex-officio member Michael
Bloomfield, NASA Chief Astronaut Instructor, as well as Theron Bradley,
Jr., NASA's Chief Engineer.
In the early stages of the accident investigation, the NASA
administrator, Sean O'Keefe, revised the Gehman board's charter three
times before he finally gave the board a measure of independence, Gordon
noted. Even then, the board retains one NASA official and relies on NASA
staff, which could undermine the credibility of its final report, the
Congressman said.
Modeled after Challenger commission
Gordon stressed that his bill "is a lesson-learned bill and not a
reflection on Admiral Gehman's handling of the Columbia
investigation."
"My purpose for crafting this bill is to make sure future
investigations are free from any perception that the agency is hiding
something," Gordon explained. "I want the public to have complete trust
and support for our space program. Anything less is unacceptable."
"The shame is all the NASA administrator had to do to get it right the
first time was follow the successful model of the presidential commission
that investigated the 1986 Challenger accident," Gordon said in a
statement issued today. "I still don't understand why NASA believes it can
adequately investigate itself and produce a report the public will
accept."
Gordon would have preferred an independent commission, appointed by the
President, one that was free of any NASA personnel when investigating a
major tragedy at the space agency. NASA's O'Keefe worked to modify the
board's charter, but refused to relinquish the investigation to a truly
independent panel as was done in the Challenger accident, the lawmaker
said.
Public trust
If okayed by the U.S. Congress, The Human Space Flight Independent
Investigation Commission Act would draw on the Challenger model by
requiring a 15-member commission, with 14 members appointed by the
President. The 15th member would be the chair of the National
Transportation Safety Board (news
- web
sites).
The President, to the extent possible, would have to appoint some
members with space flight and accident investigation experience, but
otherwise can draw board members from a diversity of backgrounds.
To assure separation from the space agency, the bill stipulates that no
NASA personnel would be permitted to serve on the board or serve in a
staff role. The board would have the power to subpoena witnesses and would
report its findings simultaneously to the President, Congress and the
public.
"None of us wants to see another shuttle lost, but we have to face the
fact that space exploration is inherently risky and make responsible
preparations for that possibility. Leaving investigations up to ad hoc
procedures, internal agency rules and self-appointed boards will
eventually break the vital public trust that this national undertaking
relies on," Representative Gordon warned.
