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WASHINGTON - Even as NASA engineers debated possible damage, a flight director e-mailed Columbia's astronauts to say there was "absolutely no concern"
that breakaway foam that struck the space shuttle might endanger its safe return. The shuttle's commander cheerily replied, "Thanks a million!"

Flight director J.S. "Steve" Stich conveyed his assurance to Columbia's commander and pilot on Jan. 23, according to documents disclosed Monday. At the time,
engineers inside NASA continued to debate and study whether insulating foam that smashed against Columbia's wing on liftoff might have fatally damaged materials
protecting the shuttle during its fiery descent.

So anotherwords he lied. He said, "There's absolutely no concern a foam strike might have endangered the shuttle's safe return." (Paraphrased) At the same time he and other engineers inside NASA were still investigating if that was true or not. We now know it wasn't.

This is the support crew I'd want behind me if I were up there. I'd want them right behind me in the shuttle so they'd be burnt to a crisp right along with me!

"CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE!"

Flght Director J.S. "Steve" Stich...e-mailed Columbia's astronauts to say there was "absolutely no concern" that breakaway foam that struck the space shuttle might endanger its safe return.

Steve's got more good news, too. He just saved money on car insurance.

Hell, he doesn't give rat's ass because he's not in the Shuttle.

Scrap NASA, fire all the bureaucrats, and start again.

The locals were saying that the foam caused the "event" the morning it happened. There was also a rumor that the crew could see the damage from the flight deck and that the skipper emailed his wife about it. And that after the "event" she asked NASA about it.

Shortly after NASA sent a group of suits to one of the trainers in Houston to verify that the damaged area could be seen from various places in the orbiter. They concluded there was no way to see the damage. People that were there threw fits over this because it was obvious to them that it would have been possible to see the damage on the wing. This all happened the same week that the support contracts were being awarded. So many people kept their mouths tight while all this was happening. After the contracts were awarded a lot of people were shuffled around and out. The word is that many experienced folks were shown the door for younger (IE: cheaper to pay) people. Others were "retired".

This is all heresay from taggers I know. I can't verify any of it. But these same folks told me right after the "event" that the foam caused it. And they also said "Dittmore is toast". They were right.

Those who are about to die, salute you, the NASA Managers!

"Thanks a million, Steve! And thanks for the great work on your part.
Thanks Jeff! And thanks for the super work! We appreciate it."

All Hail Federal Sinecures! Huzzah! Hurrah!