More than
two years after the shuttle Columbia blew up during descent, killing all seven crew members,
veteran astronaut Eileen Collins will lead NASA’s
return to manned space flight when Discovery launches this
summer.
Collins, MS ’86, who served on three earlier shuttle
flights, is commander of the Discovery mission, which also
includes Stephen Robinson, MS ’85, PhD ’91. Asked
recently whether she had any apprehension about the shuttle’s
safety, Collins told New Scientist: “None. The scenario
that brought down Columbia will not happen on this flight or
any future flight.” An investigative panel that included
Stanford physics professor Douglas Osheroff blamed the Columbia accident on a piece of insulation that dislodged during takeoff
and hit the orbiter.
Robinson plans to perform three spacewalks during the 11-day
mission.
