Firstly I'd like to write what I thought concerning the accident of Space Shuttle Challenger. While I had my hair cut in a barber shop in 1986, the incident was broadcasted on TV. I remember just like yesterday that I was shocked to watch the videotape of the incident. One of the crews was a Japanese American. I thought that the accident would lead the Space Shuttle Project to an end.
After two and a half years of struggle, however, NASA successfully launched another Space Shuttle, Discovery, and this achievement encouraged me to work hard in the midst of surgeon's training course. I deeply admired the persevering spirit of the U.S., feeling the bravery like phoenix in them.
According to the official report, the cause of the accident was the deterioration of an O-ring which seals the joint of solid fuel tank, and to my surprise and anger, although this fault was already known by NASA and the maker, they apparently underestimated the risk derived from it and covered up the fact. It's natural that this bureaucratic attitude of NASA which brought malfunction of safety management was accused at that time.
Richard Phillips Feynman, who was the leader of the investigation team of the accident, concludes his report as follows; (I re-translated his words from Japanese translation, so what is below is not exactly his words.)
The fact has to take precedence over keeping up appearances, because you can never deceive nature.
Even though, it may sound condescending and complacent, I think that all of the persons involved in Fukushima Daiichi Plant could learn good lessons from the improvement of the Space Shuttle project team.
Lastly, my daughter is going to stay in Toronto for a month this summer for learning English. Under the excuse of visiting her in Toronto, I'm thinking to drop in at Washington D.C. to see Discovery in the National Air and Space Museum.
(Vocabulary)
persevering [形](ほめて)忍耐強い
deterioration [U] 悪化, 劣化, (質の) 低下
bureaucratic 官僚的な
take/have precedence (over sb/sth) （＜…＞に）優先する
keep up appearances 体面を保つ, 見えを張る
even though, it may sound condescending and complacent, ...
偉そうに、あるいは独善的に思えるかもしれませんが、...
condescending (けなして) 人を見下したような, 偉そうな, 尊大な
complacent 自己満足した, 独りよがりの
Everything here looks great! I was in elementary school when the Challenger crashed. I was quite young so I don't remember the details. But, I do remember the excitement all around at that time. I think you would enjoy visiting the Smithsonian museums in Washington D.C. There are so many wonderful artifacts in those museums.
Posted by: Sarah | Mar 09, 2012 at 12:23 PM