Age Discrimination at NASA

[Mike Dennis]

Does anyone agree with this point of view, and does it in any way explain
the decision making in Mission Control during the last Columbia flight? I'm
not looking for a smoking gun. I'm just wondering if fixing this might in
some way make immediate improvements in the manned space program.

http://www.machinedesign.com/ASP/viewSelectedArticle.asp?strArticleId=55962&strSite=MDSite&Screen=CURRENTISSUE

[Roger Balettie]

"Mike Dennis" > wrote:
> Does anyone agree with this point of view, and does it in any
> way explain the decision making in Mission Control during the
> last Columbia flight?

Whether NASA as an institution is represented by this article or not, I
can't really say...

However, being selected for an MCC position is based *solely* on merit and
competence. There are years of training and much significant observation
and evaluation that occur prior to ever sitting in the "front room" for a
mission.

MCC Flight Controllers are evaluated *regularly*, including every simulation
and every flight, to make sure they're performing at their peak
capabilities.

The MCC is not a "jobs program" where any quotas are met with respect to
anything other than "the best available".

So, the answer to the second part of your question is "no".

Roger
--
Roger Balettie
former Flight Dynamics Officer
Space Shuttle Mission Control
http://www.balettie.com/