Shuttle Prep Company May Not Be Reporting Problems

Even as Atlantis sits on Launchpad 39-B at the Kennedy Space Center, once again prepped for launch... government auditors say NASA continues to fail at tracking shuttle safety issues.

Specifically, WESH-TV in Daytona Beach reports at least one shuttle contractor may be sweeping safety problems under the rug.

The NASA Inspector General's audit looks at 340 problem reports -- most involving equipment, procedures, or personnel from Houston-based United Space Alliance. USA preps the shuttle for launch -- that's how it makes money. But USA is penalized -- and loses money -- when its workers make mistakes.

For that reason, the audit suggests... USA is underreporting problems that could have potentially disasterous effects on shuttle flights.

"[C]ritical data is inaccurately and incompletely reported," said the report by the NASA inspector general. "Management ... may not have enough information to correct a problem."

NASA shuttle manager Wayne Hale says the audit focused on small issues that don't necessarily affect flight -- but adds the audit system, which was put into place after the loss of Challenger 20 years ago, is a critical part of maintaining shuttle safety.

"It's very important, and we look forward to improving that process in the future," Hale said.

FMI: www.unitedspacealliance.com/, www.nasa.gov/shuttle