NASA says worker tried to sabotage ISS
Thursday, July 26, 2007
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has reported that a space program worker deliberately cut the wires on a computer that was bound for the International Space Station (ISS). The employee has yet to be identified, but works for a subcontractor for NASA.
Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA Space Operations Chief, stated that the sabotage occurred outside of Florida at an unnamed subcontractor. The same worker allegedly damaged another computer that was not bound for the space station.
"I don't want to speculate on motivation. The damage is very obvious. It's easy to detect. It's not a mystery to us," said Gerstenmaier.
The device is reported to be a recorder for the ISS that would monitor stress the station receives while it is in orbit. NASA states that it will repair the computer so it is ready for the Space Shuttle Endeavour on August 7.
Investigations are "going on and I'd rather let that get handled that way," added Gerstenmaier.
Sources
- "NASA shaken by reports of sabotage, drinking" — CTV.ca, July 26, 2007
- Irene Klotz. "NASA confirms shuttle Endeavour to launch Aug. 7" — Reuters, July 26, 2007
- Mark Carreau. "NASA investigates possible sabotage of recorder for lab" — Houston Chronicle, July 26, 2007
- Marcia Dunn. "NASA reports sabotage of computer by worker who cut wires" — Associated Press, July 26, 2007
- Reuters. "NASA finds apparent sabotage" — CNN, July 26, 2007