Ron Dittemore
Ron Dittemore
Ron D. Dittemoreis a former shuttle program manager for NASA, and is currently the president of ATK Launch Systems Group, formerly known as ATK Thiokol Propulsion, part of Alliant Techsystems, Inc...
indicative missing root rough shows smoking sure
It could be indicative of a rough tile or missing tile. We are not sure yet. I don't have a smoking gun. I don't have anything that shows a root cause.
although cannot crew location memory pause recovery reflect stop time
We're going to pause and reflect upon the crew of Columbia, their lives, their contributions, their memory, and although we cannot stop our investigation and the recovery effort, we will pause in this location to take the time to reflect upon their lives, their sacrifice. It's a day of remembering. It's a day of remembering our friends, and for us it's a day of mourning.
information pieces teams thousands
We are getting thousands of pieces of information and the teams are working through each piece deliberately.
becoming organized progress support
We're becoming very organized and making progress in support of each other.
necessary satisfied taken
We're satisfied that the necessary precautions have taken place or we wouldn't launch.
assembly complex flights station
It is one of the most complex station assembly flights that we will conduct.
effects element environment far quite risk testing
We've done all that we can think, as far as testing in a one-G environment and simulating the effects of our (shuttle) maneuvers on the mast. But there is that element of risk that there may be something we didn't get, that we don't quite understand.
compelling design goes likely test
It goes back to, how likely is it that you'll have a defect? Very low. And what is your test experience? Overwhelmingly positive. Then you look at your design, and your design is to be very safe. And you look at those, and it's a compelling story.
both complete major mission phase shuttle station
This mission will be a milestone for both the station and shuttle as we complete a major phase of the station's assembly.
mission space
This mission ... effectively jump-starts us back into assembling the International Space Station.
certainly element mission risk safety
There's certainly an element of mission risk. Not safety risk, mission risk.
air begin closely elements force forward future performing potential program proud remaining support transfer vital worked
ATK has worked closely with Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Air Force to successfully transfer the remaining PRP work to our facilities. We're proud to support this vital program and look forward to performing this work in the years ahead, even as we begin to work on elements of potential future systems.
air closely force remaining transfer work worked
ATK has worked closely with Northrop Grumman and the Air Force to successfully transfer the remaining PRP work to our facilities.
complexity extremely far gone level missions shuttle station takes
The shuttle missions that have gone to the station so far have been extremely successful. This mission takes the level of complexity up a notch.