CNN: Shuttle managers optimistic

One is reminded of the study that Richard Feynman did on Space Shuttle Challenger, in which Mr. Feynman stated:

"The Space Shuttle Main Engine was handled in a different manner, top down, we might say. The engine was designed and put together all at once with relatively little detailed preliminary study of the material and components. Then when troubles are found in the bearings, turbine blades, coolant pipes, etc., it is more expensive and difficult to discover the causes and make changes....

A further disadvantage of the top-down method is that, if an understanding of a fault is obtained, a simple fix, such as a new shape for the turbine housing, may be impossible to implement without a redesign of the entire engine.

The Space Shuttle Main Engine is a very remarkable machine. It has a greater ratio of thrust to weight than any previous engine. It is built at the edge of or outside of, previous engineering experience. Therefore, as expected, many different kinds of flaws and difficultires ahve turned up. Because, unfortunately, it was built in the top-down manner, they are difficult to find and to fix...."

Report to the Space Shuttle Challenger Inquiry.

I for one hope that the managers have truly found what the problem is, and that the astronauts are not relying on "finger crossing".