posted 11-02-2006 08:59 AM               

quote:

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Robert Anderson, who as president and chairman of the Rockwell International Corporation oversaw the construction of NASA space shuttles and the controversial B-1 long-range bomber, died Saturday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 85.

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During Mr. Anderson’s tenure, Rockwell was the prime contractor for five of the six space shuttles. Five shuttles actually went into space, starting on April 12, 1981, with the launching of the Columbia. Since then, there have been more than 125 flights. But in 1986, the Challenger blew up during one of its launches, and in 2003, the Columbia was destroyed on re-entry.

Ms. Tvrdy said she could not provide an estimate of Rockwell International’s overall revenue from the shuttle program, but the company’s contract for the Discovery, which replaced the Challenger, was worth approximately $2 billion.

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(Of course, there have been only 116 shuttle flights, Endeavour replaced Challenger and Challenger did not blow up.)