Wed - 28 Jan/15

Coldest day so far - only creeping above 50 F by late afternoon. It will feel like the 40's F with the strong wind; but a beautifully clear sunny day! Chance of frost tonight in the Marion County (a few miles north of here). It will be another day of rest.

The folks walking this morning had on their winter coats and hats. The late afternoon walkers were down to spring coats. This would be a hot spell anywhere else. Isn't it amazing how all things are relative.

Today is the 29th. anniversary of the Challenger Disaster (1986). Personal knowledge makes this tragedy a touch more poignant.

Years ago, on top of Mt Washington, NH, I was parking the car while the family went into the Visitor's Center. I parked next to a pickup w/camper. The owner was admiring the view as I was and we struck up a conversation based on his Alaska licence plate. He was here with his granddaughter, sightseeing for a few weeks.

Somehow the conversation got around to the movie Apollo 13. I can't remember why? (Probably something to do with the Movie just being released).  To my surprise the stranger said; "Let me tell you the truth about that!". He said he was retired from NASA and worked as an engineer on that flight. He said that he had sent a report in to delay because of a faulty battery pack that should be swapped out. He said it was ignored and all the paperwork "mysteriously" disappeared. He believes it was because NASA was having trouble with Congressional Hearings (funding) and needed "Good Press" to help persuade those that controlled the purse strings.

Fast Forward >> many years to Canyon Vistas RV Resort in Gold Canyon, AZ where we were staying for the winter. Incidentally finding out that a neighbour worked as an engineer for NASA at Hunstville, AL I told him the "Apollo 13" story to see if he thought it might be true.

He said, "Absolutely! And let me tell you a story."

He indicated that he had warned NASA repeatedly. It was not a matter of "IF; BUT WHEN" there would be a Challenger Disaster. He said he was repeatedly ignored; then coerced into remaining quiet. He knew if he didn't stop he would lose his job. He had a family to support and could not afford that happening. He rationalized that it would all be covered up and they would hire a co-operative replacement. Not that government would do that, eh? (grin).

He said he still agonizes over his decision, especially on the anniversary. My thoughts are with him and the Challenger Astronauts today. It would be a good night to watch "The Challenger Disaster" from our movie collection (I just have to work up to it).

Ironically, the commission; appointed by Ronald Reagan; revealed that the O-ring seal on the Challenger's solid rocket booster, which had become brittle in the cold temperatures, failed. Flames then broke out of the booster and damaged the external fuel tank, causing the spacecraft to disintegrate. The commission also found that Morton Thiokol, the company that designed the solid rocket boosters, had ignored warnings about potential problems. They also found that NASA managers were aware of these design issues and ignored the warnings. (How often do disasters happen because they make it a "Crap Shoot" because of money?) 

P. S. I think the CCCP version of  "Crap Shoot" is "Russian Roulette"; either way, if you keep playing you eventually lose! (grin).

P.S.S. Amazingly, 10 years after the disaster 2 large pieces washed ashore.