In the event of future space flight accidents, there's need for NASA to step completely out of the way and let a truly independent investigation proceed.
That's the view of Rep.Bart Gordon (D-Tennessee), introducing House Resolution 2450: The Human Space Flight Independent Investigation Commission Act.
Gordon is the senior Democrat on the House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics. The legislator introduced the bill on June 12, a resolution crafted to assure that future human space flight accident investigations are truly independent.
Smell test
The lawmaker has been less than pleased with the internal intricacies of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB). Gordon warned NASA earlier this year that the CAIB charter "just doesn't pass the smell test."
Retired Admiral Hal Gehman chairs the 13-person CAIB, now based in Washington, D.C. and busily wrapping up its inquiry into the loss of space shuttle Columbia and crew on February 1.
Among the board members is Scott Hubbard, Director of the NASA Ames Research Center. Board support includes ex-officio member Michael Bloomfield, NASA Chief Astronaut Instructor, as well as Theron Bradley, Jr., NASA's Chief Engineer.
In the early stages of the accident investigation, the NASA administrator, Sean O'Keefe, revised the Gehman board's charter three times before he finally gave the board a measure of independence, Gordon noted. Even then, the board retains one NASA official and relies on NASA staff, which could undermine the credibility of its final report, the Congressman said.
Modeled after Challenger commission
Gordon stressed that his bill "is a lesson-learned bill and not a reflection on Admiral Gehman's handling of the Columbia investigation."
"My purpose for crafting this bill is to make sure future investigations are free from any perception that the agency is hiding something," Gordon explained. "I want the public to have complete trust and support for our space program. Anything less is unacceptable."
"The shame is all the NASA administrator had to do to get it right the first time was follow the successful model of the presidential commission that investigated the 1986 Challenger accident," Gordon said in a statement issued today. "I still don't understand why NASA believes it can adequately investigate itself and produce a report the public will accept."
Gordon would have preferred an independent commission, appointed by the President, one that was free of any NASA personnel when investigating a major tragedy at the space agency. NASA's O'Keefe worked to modify the board's charter, but refused to relinquish the investigation to a truly independent panel as was done in the Challenger accident, the lawmaker said.
Public trust
If okayed by the U.S. Congress, The Human Space Flight Independent Investigation Commission Act would draw on the Challenger model by requiring a 15-member commission, with 14 members appointed by the President. The 15th member would be the chair of the National Transportation Safety Board.
The President, to the extent possible, would have to appoint some members with space flight and accident investigation experience, but otherwise can draw board members from a diversity of backgrounds.
To assure separation from the space agency, the bill stipulates that no NASA personnel would be permitted to serve on the board or serve in a staff role. The board would have the power to subpoena witnesses and would report its findings simultaneously to the President, Congress and the public.
"None of us wants to see another shuttle lost, but we have to face the fact that space exploration is inherently risky and make responsible preparations for that possibility. Leaving investigations up to ad hoc procedures, internal agency rules and self-appointed boards will eventually break the vital public trust that this national undertaking relies on," Representative Gordon warned.
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