[20030902]RS21606_NASA哥伦比亚号航天飞机：哥伦比亚事故调查委员会报告摘要.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS21606September 2, 2003NASAs Space Shuttle Columbia: Synopsis ofthe Report of the Columbia AccidentInvestigation Boardname redactedSpecialist in Aerospace and Telecommunications PolicyResources, Science, and Industry DivisionSummaryNASAs space shuttle Columbia broke apart on February 1, 2003 as it returned toEarth from a 16-day science mission. All seven astronauts aboard were killed. NASAcreated the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB), chaired by Adm. (Ret.)Harold Gehman, to investigate the accident. The Board released its report (available athttp:/www.caib.us) on August 26, 2003, concluding that the tragedy was caused bytechnical and organizational failures. The CAIB report included 29 recommendations,15 of which the Board specified must be completed before the shuttle returns to flightstatus. This report provides a brief synopsis of the Boards conclusions,recommendations, and observations. Further information on Columbia and issues forCongress are available in CRS Report RS21408. This report will not be updated.The National Aeronautics and Space Administr