Letters

Regarding Paul Light's commentary on NASA's current challenges (The Last Word, "Making Do at NASA," November), we're working hard at NASA to strengthen the many aspects of our culture that do work and to address the flaws described by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.

While repairing a culture is a much more complicated challenge than rocket science, NASA's dedicated workforce is up to the task. We're focused on implementing the board's recommendations and raising the safety bar even higher. We're encouraging vigorous debate and are inviting other agencies and experts to share with us their best practices in safety, communications and decision-making in high-risk circumstances.

We will build on NASA's strengths, including our workforce's positive attitude and passionate commitment to our mission goals. Recently, NASA ranked first in the Partnership for Public Service/American University federal employee survey on the "Best Places to Work in the Federal Government," demonstrating we have the organizational fuel to reinforce NASA's "can do" spirit.

Contrary to Mr. Light's assertion, while we've worked hard to keep program costs under control, we've never scrimped on funding safety. Prior to the Columbia tragedy we proposed long-term safety enhancements for the shuttle and International Space Station. Also, the appointment of NASA Inspector General Robert Cobb, a very experienced and capable public servant, has brought fresh leadership and perspective into NASA. At no time during the transition did the operations of our IG's office slow down. Its efforts are more diligent and thorough than ever before.

December's Centennial of Flight commemoration reminded us that our gains in aviation and space flight have never come easily. Yet, we've achieved amazing progress by being willing to learn from our tragedies and setbacks. It is in this spirit that NASA will move forward.

Sean O'Keefe
NASA Administrator