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Originally posted by andrewas:
Challenger first flew '83. That tragedy was caused in large part by communication failure between engineers and launch controllers. Age was not a factor in that case, lack of equipment testing in extreme conditions was.
So why didn't they update before sending people into space?
AS for why they are sending up shuttles that old, they dont have much choice. They only have 4 shuttles - 3 now - and they have a huge turn around time. IIRC, the entire fleet is due for replacement, but that programe is overdue as well.
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Alright, so maybe it wasn't like they had a lot of choice. But considering they were sending people up into space, not say a mechanical buggy, couldnt they have delayed the trip until they had more sophisticated space faring-equipment? And what's up with the lack of communication? Wouldn't it make more sense to improve that straight away? As my dad, who is an engineer, says, "An engineer is only as good as his bosses allow him to be."