Abstract This paper analyzes Chapters 6 and 7 of the "Columbia Accident Investigation Board Report". Specifically, it discusses the issues that surfaceed about NASA and its organization and answers the question: If you were designing a new organization to change the core processes what would be your priorities for change? It examines how the National Air and Space Agency (NASA) ultimately is a business organization, just like any other, and how it faces the same funding issues, internal power struggles, and management concerns that any other business faces.
From the Paper "The need for change in the organization is clear, and the priorities need to be established and followed. Clearly, the first priority should be either a general housecleaning in management, or at least a re-evaluation of the current management mission, and how it must contribute to change and safety, rather than deadlines and appearances. The second priority must be communication, because the communication streams are flawed, and it seems some staff are afraid to communicate concerns or problems. It also seems budgetary concerns are also a major issue with NASA. These concerns must be addressed, but they should never come ahead of Shuttle safety, and it seems from the start, they have."
Abstract This paper offers an organizational assessment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The writer of this paper examines NASA's history and mission while also evaluating its goals and objectives. The paper also analyzes NASA's strengths and weaknesses while detailing the organization's strengths and weaknesses.
Abstract This paper details a needs assessment for quality improvement at NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). It includes program goal setting, prioritizing program goals, funding and operational decision-making. The purpose of the assessment is to improve quality performance at NASA.
Abstract This paper explains that both excerpts from C.S. Giscombe's "Into and Out of Dislocation" and Peter Hudson's "Natural Histories of Southwestern British Columbia" discuss black history in British Columbia. The author points out that the two writers' styles are utterly different. The paper relates that Giscombe simultaneously relates the history of his travels in British Columbia and the history of John Robert Giscome, a man who was possibly one of Giscombe's ancestors.
From the Paper "On the face of it, the excerpts from C.S. Giscombe's Into and Out of Dislocation and Peter Hudson's Natural Histories of Southwestern British Columbia seem to have little in common. Certainly, the two authors' styles are utterly different. However, closer analysis reveals many similarities between the two excerpts. The first and most obvious similarity is that both men have as their subject matter history - specifically, black history in British Columbia. Giscombe simultaneously relates the history of his travels in British Columbia and the history of John Robert Giscome, a man who was possibly one of Giscombe's ancestors."
Abstract This paper discusses and evaluates the use of databases at the British Columbia Muslim Association. The author finds that more extensive use of databases could be implemented and combined with the association's Web site.
From the Paper "The British Columbia Muslim Association (BCMA) is a largely volunteer organization that operates a central Web site with links to Islamic resources in the BC community. The Web site is currently undergoing ..."
Tags: databases, british columbia muslim association, bcma, distributed databases, oracle
Abstract In this paper, the government of Columbia is analyzed and evaluated through its construction on the American model of democratic republican government. The writer discusses that although the Columbian government has two houses and a judicial branch, the power of the judicial branch far exceeds those powers given to the Senate and House.
From the Paper This governmental study will analyze how the modern republican government of Columbia operates, as well as how elections have functioned within this South American country. By realizing the how branches of government are modeled after the United States, one can realize that this country is formed heavily on democratic principles. However, the practicality of this form of government has been influenced high levels of corruption in the elections that have been enacted since the election of President Alvaro Uribe Velez. In essence, the democratic government of Columbia offers a republican form of government in the modus operandi of the United States, but has varying levels of success in the practical matters of governing in modern times.
Abstract The research questions upon which the study is based ask whether or not NASA's organizational structure had an effect on the amount of communication effort expended during preparation for the Columbia shuttle's takeoff and whether it ultimately caused the demise of the shuttle and its passengers. Based on the review of the literature, this study answers the following research questions. Has NASA's organizational culture changed since the Challenger shuttle accident in 1986, which was largely the result of gaps in communication? What aspects of NASA as an agency may have been partially to blame for the Columbia accident? What do independent parties believe caused the accident? What must NASA do to improve the agency before sending more shuttles to space?
Statement of the Problem
Research Questions
Research Methodology and Importance
Literature Review
Research Issue #1
Research Issue #2
Research Issue #3
Research Issue #4
Research Issue #5
Research Issue #6
Research Issue #7
Research Issue #8
Research Summary
References
From the Paper "After nearly seven months of investigation, the Board released a series of findings and recommendations aimed at significantly reducing the chances of further accidents. Their aim has been to improve shuttle safety by multiple means, not just by correcting the specific faults that caused the Columbia disaster. With this in mind, the Board conducted an investigation of what happened in Columbia, as well as what conditions allowed the accident to occur. During this process, the Board identified numerous factors, which they have grouped into three categories: physical failures that were directly responsible for Columbia's destruction; underlying weaknesses, revealed in NASA's organization and history, that may end in catastrophic failure; and additional observations made during the course of investigation."
An analysis of the events that led up to the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster and the changes that NASA has implemented to prevent a similar disaster from occurring.
Abstract This paper introduces and analyzes the topic of the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. Specifically, it analyzes the accident that occurred on the morning of February 1, 2003 and discusses the events that led up to its occurrence. The paper then discusses what NASA learned from the Columbia disaster and the changes that it has implemented as a result.
From the Paper "In conclusion, NASA learned much from the Columbia disaster, and they have implemented new flight techniques and safety checks that help ensure this type of accident does not happen again. However, the Columbia disaster indicates that communication and decision-making at NASA is sometime suspect, and that continues, even today, even though NASA has developed these new safety checks to help make sure disasters like Columbia do not happen again. While the communication techniques NASA officials use may come into question, ultimately, it is recognized that space travel, although we often take it for granted, is inherently dangerous. Astronauts know that, and so do their families. Every time we send another space shuttle into orbit, we face the possibility of disaster, it is that simple. Still, space travel has largely been safe, and it seems that NASA will continue to promote safe space travel into the future."
Tags: astronauts flight communication STS-107, Cape Canaveral
Abstract This paper explains the history of NASA, starting with the Kennedy administration. It briefly explains the 'firsts' of space exploration: Apollo and Skylab. The writer then discusses the disasters of NASA: Challenger, Columbia, and some Mars missions. It looks at the accomplishments of NASA with technology and at home and ends with the future of NASA with George Bush's Space Boost plan and a conclusion.
From the Paper "Human curiosity about space has been with man as far back as we can go. Native Americans made names for the constellations. Greece created Gods from them. The technology to get to space was just created in the past fifty years. Some consider Americans lucky to live in a nation, where man can touch the surface of the moon. This feat is mostly thanks to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and their advancements. However, recent polls have shown that interest for NASA is down the list of people's concerns, below crime, energy, and the environment for example. Interest has changed since the Kennedy administration, where shortly after, twelve men walked on the moon in a three and a half year period. NASA is still making advancements, however, in the areas of science, math, astrology, and it's new findings in space. Nevertheless, the public remembers Columbia and Challenger. They also know about the millions of tax dollars being spent each year. Because of this, does NASA have a future? Will it still be around in twenty years? Will our children and their children, still dream of becoming astronauts?"
Abstract This first part of this paper examines the current structure of NASA, and the problems that are spawned by its fragmented structure. The paper then looks at the goals, obstacles and potential benefits of the One NASA program, paying special attention to the Integrated Financial Management Project (IFMP). It examines whether the IFMP -- an agency-wide effort to overhaul NASA's financial and administrative systems and processes ? can have a positive effect in building a more integrated organizational culture within the space agency.
From the Paper "NASA is not a single monolith. Instead, it is composed of several field centers scattered across the country. Each center has its own staff, origin and research focus (Bromberg 1999). Ideally, these field centers work together with their headquarters, situated in Washington, DC. After all, as seen in the following description of their responsibilities and duties, many of the centers have overlapping mandates, duties and projects. However, more often than not, Headquarters and the individual centers are in conflict, resulting in duplication of effort and a waste of resources."
Abstract The author discusses how NASA was created partly out of the need for new frontiers and partly out of fear that Soviets would become militarily superior to the United States after the launch of Skylab in 1957. The author describes some of its early struggles and credibility problems as NASA put a man on the moon before the end of the 1960s. The author explores how NASA survived the budget cuts and changing political climate of the 1970s by pushing forward, culminating in the launch of the Space Shuttle in 1981. The paper concludes in 1985 with NASA's plans for a manned space station and re-evaluation of its mission, key functions and tasks it will have to accomplish as we move into the 21st century.
Abstract This paper explains that organizational behavior focuses on the study of behavior within the organizational construct, concentrating on how an individual, group, and structure affect the behavior within the organization. The author points outs that learning from the Challenger Disaster required the NASA organization to look carefully at (1) forces contributing to the flawed decision, (2) reasons for the decisions and behavior that contributed to them, and (3) organizational shortcomings that affected the outcome. The paper stresses that communication can lead to misunderstanding, but so does lack of action; people within the chain of command at NASA did not act upon information that may have changed the outcome.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The NASA Challenger Disaster
Recommendations
Conclusion
From the Paper "In exploring the history behind the Challenger disaster, one discovers, as the Presidential Commission did, that information threatened the "can-do" ideology of the space agency was routinely suppressed by managers at the agency's Marshall Space Flight Center. When Thiokol's engineers raised their concerns a full six months before the disaster, the information they provided was distorted as it made its way up the organizational chain of command, primarily to suit the career interests of Center managers eager to please NASA headquarters. Bosses were told what they wanted to hear and not what they needed to know. Ultimately, Thiokol's engineers were told, in effect, to "sit down and shut up" the night before the launch because the final decision would be made by management."
Abstract The paper analyzes the specific catalysts that are fueling the growth of construction in general and brick demand specifically. The paper discusses how to forecast demand and examines the dominant competitors in British Columbia. The paper includes several tables.
Outline:
Synopsis
Construction Demand Increasing in British Columbia Forecasting Brick Demand
British Columbia Brick Competitive Environment
From the Paper "The demand for construction materials including concrete pipe, bricks and blocks, which together comprise NAICS 32733 industrial codes throughout British Columbia continues to experience consistent growth, year over year, beginning in 2000. There are several catalysts that are fueling the growth of demand for pipe, bricks and blocks, and the focus of this analysis will specifically be on demand for bricks in the British Columbia province. The goal of this report is to analyze the specific catalysts that are fueling the growth of construction in general and brick demand specifically, also taking into account the implications labor force growth necessary to support the projected increase in production as well."
Abstract This paper discusses the history of NASA from its beginnings and the political framework surrounding its genesis and the beginnings of the Space Race.
From the Paper "Since the beginning of time, man has been an avid explorer. From exploring his nearby surroundings to traveling to the other side of the world to journeying to the stars, man has been on the move constantly. Mankind is a species of risk takers and curious about all that surrounds him. Before man's decision to fly to the stars, one of the biggest eras of exploration was the navigation and exploration of the seas and the inner continents they found themselves upon. Through all of the explorations, it has taken the political and financial backing of the many nations that supported these explorers. And what was the purpose of these explorations beyond curiosity? It seems that the political will of the nations encouraged these explorers to discover and conquer faster than the next nation. It was and still is a matter of national pride; more often than not, it was also a matter of national security, whether real or imagined. The history of NASA reflects this ideal; that exploration isn't always done just for the sake of discovery."
