• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!
  • Welcome to our archives. No new posts are allowed here.

Tough management decision: What would you do and why?

Lutherf

Lutherf

DP Veteran
Joined
Sep 16, 2012
Messages
49,520
Reaction score
55,161
Location
Tucson, AZ
Gender
Male
Political Leaning
Conservative
It was better for them to die unexpectedly: Columbia Shuttle Crew Not Told of Possible Problem With Reentry | Mail Online

NASA has revealed that the Columbia crew were not told that the shuttle had been damaged and they might not survive re-entry.

The seven astronauts who died will be remembered at a public memorial service on the 10th anniversary of the disaster this Friday at Florida's Kennedy Space Center.

The shuttle was headed home from a 16-day science mission when it broke apart over Texas on February 1, 2003, because of damage to its left wing.

Ten years ago, experts at NASA's mission control faced the terrible decision over whether to let the astronauts know that they may die on re-entry or face orbiting in space until the oxygen ran out.
Click to expand...

I'm torn on this one.

I definitely understand the decision and can't really condemn it but I have to wonder if letting them know would have allowed them to make their own peace before re-entry and, perhaps, say a few words to their loved ones.

From a purely ethical standpoint I believe that I would feel compelled to inform the crew of the situation.
 
I would have told them and if I were them I would have wanted to know.
 
Lutherf said:
It was better for them to die unexpectedly: Columbia Shuttle Crew Not Told of Possible Problem With Reentry | Mail Online



I'm torn on this one.

I definitely understand the decision and can't really condemn it but I have to wonder if letting them know would have allowed them to make their own peace before re-entry and, perhaps, say a few words to their loved ones.

From a purely ethical standpoint I believe that I would feel compelled to inform the crew of the situation.
Click to expand...

I think I would have told them. They may have appreciated the opportunity to get final wishes to their loved ones; even vital information; a final and very meaningful message to their children, their parents, their spouses.

I think the men and women in our space program are very courageous. And, above all else, I think they trusted Mission Control. I think Mission Control let them down.
 
I would have told them.
 
That is absolutely despicable. There is no gray area or room for reasonable people to disagree here. They had a right to know.
 
I guess I'm going to be the odd man out on this one. I'm not sure I would want to know, if it were me. I think I'd rather live my last few days or weeks as if everything were okay, and go out without expecting it.
 
Guy Incognito said:
That is absolutely despicable. There is no gray area or room for reasonable people to disagree here. They had a right to know.
Click to expand...

Everyone on the mission knew the risks before they went up on that firecracker. They were already at peace with all decisions that they had made...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom