Columbia Accident Investigation Board Minutes of Open Meeting Date of Meeting: MONDAY, April 7, 2003 Time of Meeting: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Location of Meeting: Hilton Houston Clear Lake 3000 NASA Road One Houston, Texas Board Members Present: Admiral Hal Gehman Dr. John Logsdon Major General Kenneth Hess Mr. G. Scott Hubbard Dr. Sally Ride Mr. Steven B. Wallace Brigadier General Duane Deal Board Staff Present: Lt. Col. Tyrone Woodyard Terry Williams Patricia Brach J. William Sikora Other Government Employees Present in Their Official Capacity: Col. James Halsell, Jr., USAF, NASA Astronaut NASA Johnson Space Center Robert Castle, Jr., Chief Engineer, Mission Operations Directorate NASA Johnson Space Center J. Scott Sparks, Department Lead, External Tank Issues NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Lee Foster, Technical Staff, Vehicle and Systems Development Department NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Members of the Public who Presented Oral or Written Statements: None Matters Discussed: Space Shuttle flight preparation and launch decision processes, including: the process for approving and reviewing waivers of requirements, formal flight readiness reviews and certifications, and the disposition of in-flight anomalies. The process used by the Mission Management Team to resolve issues that arise while the Shuttle is in flight. The purpose and characteristics of cryoinsulation on the Shuttle external tank. The material development and qualification of polyurethane foam insulation. The history of instances of the shedding of foam insulation, and efforts to reduce debris impacts from foam on the Space Shuttle vehicle system. Matters Resolved at the Meeting: None Documents Received, Issued or Approved at the Meeting: None Back to Event