[aristeides]

In 2001, the EPA exempted NASA from the CFC phase-out: The shuttle's use wasn't important. Most CFC use was in consumer products (including air conditioners, refrigerators, aerosol cans, etc.). Yet NASA didn't return to the safer Freon-based foam. Instead, it continued to risk tile damage and disaster with PC-foam.

Hmmm. Smoking foam?

I heard on the radio this morning that the investigation is being transferred to a body independent of NASA. Somebody was listening.

[Elenya]

I have to admit I was very disturbed to hear this morning that the camera pointed at the left wing of the shuttle had been left out of focus. Can anybody confirm?

[TLBSHOW]

bttt

[Fred Mertz]

Thanks for the heads up.

[TLBSHOW]

another news bit!

U.S. officials say no immediate information that terrorism involved in space shuttle loss

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20030206/ap_wo_en_po/na_gen_us_space_shuttle_bush_1

[aristeides]

Would the EPA have granted the exemption to NASA in 2001 if someone in NASA had not asked for it (plus, provided justification that EPA found satisfactory)? I wonder who that was, and why he couldn't then get NASA to change the foam used.