The other morning I was at an auto parts store and had a young cashier checking me out with the big boss next to him. There was a color tv behind the checkout area. Just as my transaction was being punched in, the cashier paused and said," Ooh, its launching now," All eyes went to the tv. The boss turned and said, " Well, business is more important, son." The cashier turned and gently and quietly said, " Chief, this is really important."
As we watched, together now, the cashier exclaimed, " Wow, did you see that?" "It was huge."
There is a tipping point in all things. A time when change happens. I believe that that young cashier got it right. That moment was huge. It was a high stakes launch. The techies were wrong---- big time.
The probability of a catastrophic launch event was once thought to be 1-100. Then it was revised to 1-50. To have the "right stuff" meant having the courage to face this risk. However, it is clear that we could have had two out of two.
In a heatbeat, it is over. We need to look to another launch vehicle to get the job done. The faith of the public and the pros has been shattered.
My hopes are with the crew of this mission and their safety. I salute their bravery. I salute the past proud shuttle program. Now we must move on.
What do you think? You make the call.
Thursday, July 28, 2005
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In March during Bike Week in Daytona we took an overnight trip to Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center. It was amazing!
ReplyDeleteWe spent the entire day at the Space Center. It was well worth the price of admission.
The successful flight of Discovery is with out a doubt an important step in history. My prayers are with those on this mission. May you have a safe return to Earth!