Making the Case for Culture Change at NASA | WBUR and NPR

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The following is a "closing segment" for the show which aired Wednesday, April 20, 2005 at 10:00 AM EDT.

Wednesday, April 20, 2005 at 10:00 AM EDT

Making the Case for Culture Change at NASA

NASA announced today that its first space shuttle flight since the 2003 Columbia disaster will be delayed for at least a week. The new launch date for the space shuttle Discovery is set for May 22, 2005. NASA had hoped to send Discovery on a 12-day delivery and repair mission to the international space station a bit earlier.

Meanwhile, NASA is coming under fire from one of its own. 20-year veteran astronaut Jim Weatherby criticizes the agency for pushing missions ahead without adequate time or safety considerations.

In this radio diary, Jim Weatherby calls for a culture change at NASA — without one, he warns, the consequences could be catastrophic.

Guests:

James Weatherby is a 20 year NASA veteran who retired from the agency last year. He flew on six missions as a NASA astronaut.

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