Jan 3 1994
From The Space Library
After a White House meeting of top aides from several agencies, NASA issued a statement saying that its researchers had used human subjects in the 1960s and 1970s in investigations of the possible effects of exposure to radiation. It pledged to investigate fully whether the subjects were properly informed. Some Energy Department tests were first disclosed in 1986 in a report to Congress by the General Accounting Office. (NY Times, Jan 4/94)
In a written statement, NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin said the Department of Energy had told his office that NASA was "involved in the sponsorship or co-sponsorship of some human experiments to determine the effects of radiation" during the 1960s and 1970s. Goldin did not say what experiments had taken place. He promised a full public accounting. "There is no place in this agency for human medical experimentation conducted in secrecy or without full respect for human dignity of each and every participant," the statement said.
Goldin named Donald Robbins, Deputy Director of Space and Life Sciences at Johnson Space Center in Houston, to lead a team to search NASA records involving radiation tests on humans. Goldin said Robbins will "cooperate fully" with the Energy Department and independent review groups investigating the tests, including Congress. (Fla Today, Jan 4/94, Jan 6/94)
An editorial in a major space journal urged that the European Space Agency (ESA) not abandon its Columbus space station module program, despite a redesign of the Freedom station in favor of a U.S./Russian station core. This threat, due to funding crises in Germany and Italy, would jeopardize one of ESA's own justifications for existence. While ESA's near-term strategy is to maintain Columbus and increase ESA's participation in the station, its long-term strategy is for an advanced crew transfer spacecraft for station operations-a major European technological development. The U.S., Russia, Japan and Europe all need this new vehicle. Launched by Ariane-5, it should be ready around 2005-2007, after Columbus in 2001. Further, European managers rightly stressed that the station program should make better use of Ariane-5 for resupply as well as launches, but costs now 30 percent over budget must be reduced. (Av Wk, Jan 3/94)
The same journal also urged increased research funding to yield breakthroughs in human factors engineering to reduce future errors in civil aviation. With a fleet expected to double by 2010, according to a Boeing official, at the current rate of hull losses human error could cause a major accident every 10 days by 2006. The man-machine interface must be optimized between automation and man-in-the-loop. Several diverse key factors from the effects of long-range flights and information technology to national cultural differences and air traffic control must be addressed. With government funding a critical factor, a 1990 FAA/NASA/DoD master plan remains a good guide. (Av Wk, Jan 3/94)
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