Chuck Hards wrote:
Joe's comments echo the sentiment in the editorial that the shuttle as a whole is too complex for reliable routine operation.
Interesting you would mention that. Following my gig with Jake Garn and Scott Horowitz on Take 2 last Sunday I had a chance to talk with the latter about the next generation of human rated rockets. Horowitz, who has ridden the shuttle 4 times, spoke most about the complexity of the shuttle and how more simplicity is needed. Sounds like folks are pushing for the old KISS mantra (Keep It Simple Stupid). BTW, both agreed that had NASA launched last week with one of 4 sensors malfunctioning the flight would have almost certainly gone fine. But had anything have gone awry there would have been heck to pay. He also said he really likes the new NASA administrator. Hey, as I was typing that my Harry Potter book #6 on tape arrived! Time to find my tape player... Patrick