[FPSPACE] Unflattering NASA news...

[pjp]

>From the Associated Press and Aviation Week..two stories

 

 

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070726/D8QKGG200.html

 

NASA report sabotage of flight computer

 

By MARCIA DUNN 

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - A space program worker deliberately damaged a
computer that is supposed to fly aboard shuttle Endeavour in less than two
weeks, an act of sabotage that was caught before the equipment was loaded
onto the spaceship, NASA said Thursday. 

The unidentified employee, who works for a NASA subcontractor, cut wires
inside the computer that is supposed to be delivered to the international
space station by Endeavour, said Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA's space operations
chief. The worker also damaged a similar computer that was not meant to fly
to space. 

The sabotage occurred outside Florida. Gerstenmaier did not identify the
subcontractor or where the damage took place. 

NASA's inspector general office is investigating. 

NASA hopes to fix the computer and launch it Aug. 7 as planned aboard
Endeavour. The computer is designed for use aboard the space station, not
the shuttle, and the damage would have posed no danger to either shuttle or
station astronauts, Gerstenmaier said.



 

---my comment:  I am certain more will be coming out in the upcoming days.

 

AND.Astronauts drinking before lift-off at Aviationnow.com..I can't
presently access the website/webpage right now..perhaps someone else can,
and post the story here.