On Feb. 1, 2003, space shuttle Columbia disintegrated over Texas, killing all crew members on board.Since then, NASA's investigation into the cause of the crash has brought up some intriguing possibilities.
It may come as a surprise that there were signs of trouble even when the shuttle was taking off.
Foam fell off a fuel tank and struck the heat-resistant tiles on the left wing of the ship when it lifted off.This was not perceived to be a significant threat to safe reentry when the leak occurred.
As late as January 31, 2003, there were malfunctions in hydraulic temperature and tire pressure readings as well as problems with different kinds of equipment on the left side of the ship.
After last week's disaster, investigators immediately took a second look at the material previously dislodged from the shuttle during launch.
Now that the investigation has progressed, however, reports continue to dismiss the possibility of the liftoff debris as a cause for the crash.
In a status report, Space Shuttle Program Director Ron Dittermore said, "It does not make sense that a piece of debris [foam] caused the loss of Columbia and its crew."
But according to Engineering School Professor Kathryn Thornton, the investigation hasn't progressed far enough to rule out anything as the cause of the crash."Investigators should keep an open mind and not fixate on one point," Thornton said.
While the reason for the destruction of Columbia is being pondered by NASA scientists, it is important that they also consider ways to prevent such malfunctions in the future.
One area of concern is that sub-contractors conduct many of NASA's operations, and they might be compromising safety for the sake of increased profits.
Independent companies like Boeing and Lockheed-Martin were in competition to operate the shuttle program in the past.Since 1995, however, the two companies have formed the United Space Alliance, a dual venture to cooperate in the shuttle program.
The alliance provides the shuttle program with equipment needed to operate, space suits and food.
It also supervises the International Space Station for NASA along with other independent subcontractors for the space program.
A Washington Post story recently revealed that Lockheed Martin makes only $50 million in profits from United Space Alliance in one year, "a tiny portion of the company's expected $2.4 billion in overall profit for 2000."
The relatively minimal profits seem to be even more reason to keep costs as low as possible.Experts fear that there is not enough regulation by the government to ensure that the necessary money is invested to perform proper safety checks.
"The problem with privatization is that safety cannot be supervised at a governmental level," Politics Prof Jim Savage said.
This is not to say that contractors are completely at fault.Safety problems have been brought up in the past, only to be seemingly ignored by NASA.
Last year, a panel warned about imminent safety problems as a result of low funds.Shortly thereafter, five of the nine members of the panel were removed along with some other advisors.
NASA has been challenged with staff shortages in recent years, and has had to deal with financial shortcomings as a result of their overspending on the International Space Station.
These problems can be overcome if they are given the proper attention.The 2004 budget proposes a $470 million increase in NASA spending, in response to the low budget problems NASA faced during the late 1990s.
But no matter how much money is invested, or how many committees are formed, Columbia is lost forever.
The answer to the puzzle of what destroyed it may never be answered. "It may turn out they find a 'most likely' cause, but never have a definite answer," Thronton said.
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