Reader comments
2 parachutes malfunctioned in NASA test flight

Wow | 1:33 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Parachutes that don't open, army guns that don't shoot! What is the matter with government purchasing departments?

Re: Wow | 4:16 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Key word... TEST. I can't speak to the gun reference but unless they malfunctions during testing fire this is NOT the same thing. Blaming the purchasing departments? How about the contractors that sold it to them? Accountability?

Jeff | 7:51 a.m. Oct. 31, 2009

I don't see how the government can scratch the rocket(s). They have to get to the space station some way. Plus the amount they put into space exploration is relatively insignificant.

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Anonymous | 7:16 p.m. Oct. 31, 2009

For $445 million, I'd like parachutes that work, thank you. I'm wondering if it's time for private concerns like spacex to take over. They seem to be doing it for far less.

Anonymous | 7:45 p.m. Oct. 31, 2009

"Parachutes that don't open, army guns that don't shoot! What is the matter with government purchasing departments?"

The problem was with the contractor who failed to comply with the specs. Contracts, are private businesses. This is another example of American business like e coli in your burgers.

What?? | 7:52 p.m. Oct. 31, 2009

" "Don't play this too much," Ess urged reporters."

Excuse me? I do read alot into this test. That's an expensive booster to be disposable, not to mention the fact that the parachutes didn't deploy right. That was taxpayer money that you used, and you are accountable to all of us for how it is spent.

G | 8:36 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

This is why you test them first.

It was the vibration load that was supposed to make these rockets unworkable, according to naysayers.

NASA has slain that beast.

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