Listening to the entire press briefing today my ear was tuned to any mention of safety culture change and lessons learned resulting from Challenger and Columbia shuttle losses. I was not disappointed. Bill Nelson was clear and unambiguous on that subject as though those shuttle disasters were as fresh on his mind as the days on which they happened.
NASA made the tough decision and then Bill Nelson owned the decision while not dumping on Boeing which he could have and which a smaller administrator would have. We could all learn that lesson in integrity and dignity. When pressed to justify what Boeing has been paid at taxpayers’ expense to perform, he reminded the press that Boeing signed up for a fixed price and that arrangement is still in effect.