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Author
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Topic: STS-118: Sabotaged wires won't delay launch
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hlbjr
Member Posts: 475
From: Delray Beach Florida USA
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 07-26-2007 04:13 PM
   
From the Associated Press:
NASA: Worker Tried to Sabotage Shuttle-Bound Computer By Cutting Wires quote:
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.
Harvey Brown |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-26-2007 04:17 PM
From Space.com NASA: Sabotaged Wires Won't Delay Space Shuttle Launch quote:
"It will be repaired and it will fly on this flight," Gerstenmaier said of the damaged ISS hardware, which if flown as-is would have prevented the collection of structural performance data on the space station's backbone-like main truss. If left in place, the damage would have posed no risk to astronauts aboard the space station, he added. The subcontractor responsible for building the damaged computer box reported the apparent wire sabotage about a week ago, said Gerstenmaier, though he would not disclose the name of the subcontractor while an investigation is underway. The damage found on the ISS box was apparently caused during its preparations at the subcontractor's premises, which are not located in Florida, he added.
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Lunatiki
Member Posts: 237
From: Amarillo, TX, USA
Registered: Dec 2006
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posted 07-26-2007 04:18 PM
I'm glad it sounds like they caught the bastard. I'm curious who would do such a thing. A disgruntled worker I would guess. Not a good summer of news for NASA. |
robsouth
Member Posts: 769
From: West Midlands, UK
Registered: Jun 2005
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posted 07-26-2007 10:31 PM
I have never heard of any employee of any company wanting to harm the U.S. space program before, usually it's a great source of national pride. |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3161
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 07-27-2007 12:02 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Rob: I have never heard of any employee of any company wanting to harm the U.S. space program before,
While probably more personnel than program-related, we shouldn't forget the tragic loss of NASA Employee David Beverly at JSC as recently as April of this year. |
robsouth
Member Posts: 769
From: West Midlands, UK
Registered: Jun 2005
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posted 07-27-2007 12:17 AM
I wouldn't class the David Beverly incident in the same way as the damaged wires. The damaged wires was a direct attack on space hardware and although tragic the death of David Beverly did not impact on the safety of a crew in space. |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3161
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 07-27-2007 12:40 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Rob: I wouldn't class the David Beverly incident in the same way as the damaged wires.
Of course - obviously different types of incident. |
KSCartist
Member Posts: 2896
From: Titusville, FL USA
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 07-27-2007 06:55 AM
IMHO this is typical of media explosion without providing all of the details.As far as I have been able to determine based on checking different sources, this was an employee of a NASA subcontractor who did this at that company's location. It was discovered by the company and repairs will be made in time for this equipment to fly on STS-118. If you just read or listen to the media headlines, it sounds like it happened at KSC and was done by a NASA employee. My company provides material for the shuttle program. I'm as much a "NASA-worker" as the jerk who did this. But there are many, many steps our product has to pass in order to be deemed flight worthy. But the media doesn't relate that story because it doesn't sell newspapers or is "sexy" enough for a headline. They'll catch this person, he or she will be fired (I hope) and prosecuted for damaging property. The company could suffer as well because a black mark like that on a "report card" could cause you to not be allowed to be a NASA vendor. Tim |
RISPACE
Member Posts: 67
From: Warwick, RI USA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 07-27-2007 12:34 PM
quote:
Originally posted by KSCartist:
... But the media doesn't relate that story because it doesn't sell newspapers or is "sexy" enough for a headline.
Tim
Well said. The media lives for sensationalism. It gets me very angry. Last night, our local news made sure to mention the NASA "Love Triangle" incident from February before reporting this situation, while making it sound as if it was a NASA employee who did this.
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art540
Member Posts: 432
From: Orange, California USA
Registered: Sep 2006
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posted 07-27-2007 01:04 PM
One So. Cal. TV news station labled it "Crisis at NASA"... |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-27-2007 02:12 PM
The latest from the Associated Press: quote:
Conroe [Texas]-based Invocan today announced the company has not yet identified suspects or motives. Spokesman Kevin Champaigne (sham-PAYN') says they don't know if it was just one person.Invocon made the unit for Boeing -- NASA's main contractor for the space station. The item, which is about half the size of a briefcase, was to be installed inside the space station to collect data from strain gauges on an outside beam. Invocon found severed wires in an identical unit being tested last week -- then alerted Boeing to check the space-bound unit and another one in storage.
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