The board recommended in August that NASA establish an independent technical engineering authority as a means of taking the power to grant safety waivers away from the space shuttle program. The board recommended that authority be given to a new organization with no responsibility for the shuttle budget or schedule.

"NASA appears headed toward making its [field] center responsible for fulfilling independent engineering and safety responsibilities, with policy direction and oversight coming from headquarters," NASA Inspector General Robert Cobb wrote in a Dec. 8 memorandum to NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe and other senior agency managers.

"While it may be that such organizations could be designed to fulfill the CAIBs intent that NASA have a robust and independent engineering and safety office in connection with space flight operations, we believe the decentralized approach being contemplated is inconsistent with the language of the CAIB report." Cobbs memo goes on to express concern that such a field center-oriented approach "would not create a system of checks and balances able to stand the test of time."

"[I]f NASA intends to deviate from the express language of the CAIB report, it should state openly and clearly its reasons for doing so, including why implementation of particular CAIB recommendation language would be detrimental to the best interests of the agency," Cobbs memo concludes.

In a written statement in response to questions from Space News about the Inspector Generals concerns, Bryan OConnor, NASAs associate administrator for safety and mission assurance, said: "Were still mid-stream in the development of our implementation plan. When established, NASAs Independent Technical Authority will apply not only to the Space Shuttle Program, as the Columbia Accident Investigation Board has recommended, but also all programs and projects throughout the agency, as Administrator OKeefe has directed. Well certainly consider the Inspector Generals comments as we proceed."