Much of the risk to the station results from the inability of the shuttle to deliver supplies and spare parts, O'Keefe told FLORIDA TODAY in an interview for a special report.
"This is not outside the realm of things we would have anticipated we would see," he said.
But the newspaper's investigation found NASA keeps flying crews on the International Space Station despite more than 800 known flaws and safety violations, some of which could destroy the outpost or kill its crew. A relentless drive to finish building the $100 billion station -- during the tenures of O'Keefe and his predecessor, Daniel Goldin -- led managers to waive engineering and safety requirements to avoid cost increases, prevent assembly delays and keep the station staffed.
O'Keefe would not comment on decisions made before he took over NASA in 2001, but said no shuttle mission to the station launched on time during his tenure.
O'Keefe said many of the requirements waived since the Columbia accident were based on the assumption shuttles would be available to regularly visit. Others were drafted with no consideration of whether they were realistic and adjustments are necessary and acceptable as long as careful study was done to make sure the crew is safe.
The administrator and his deputies stressed they are willing to evacuate the station, if the situation becomes too dangerous for its two-man crew.
"The practical reality is you find a way to work around some of the challenges or you abandon station," he said. "Abandoning station poses a whole new set of problems that may be insurmountable. There is no means to do on the spot troubleshooting. You've got to balance that carefully."
Published under license from FLORIDA TODAY. Copyright © 2004 FLORIDA TODAY. No portion of this material may be reproduced in any way without the written consent of
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