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From: bpendlet@esunix.UUCP (Bob Pendleton)
Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: Morton Thiokol
Message-ID: <1103@esunix.UUCP>
Date: 22 Nov 88 15:30:17 GMT
References: <1988Nov18.182613.1823@utzoo.uucp>
Organization: Evans & Sutherland, Salt Lake City, Utah
Lines: 28

From article <1988Nov18.182613.1823@utzoo.uucp>, by henry@utzoo.uucp (Henry Spencer):

[Discussion of the lack of punishment for Morton Thiokol]

> Actually, have no fear -- if the message we send those people is that
> screwing up massively results in billions of dollars of new contracts
> and no significant penalties, then there *will* be more.

I wish I didn't have to agree with Henry on this, but I do. If you
want to see something that will make you puke, take a real close look
at the politics surrounding the ASRM contract. ASRM is NASAs attempt
at a politically viable way to take the SRM contract away from Morton
Thiokol.

Morton Thiokol could compete for the contract, but has chosen not to.
Best bet is that they will use political pressure to try to kill
funding, delay purchases, ... of ASRM after the contract is awarded.
And if you can't buy ASRM, well, Morton is still willing to sell SRM.

Trouble with ASRM, is that it isn't Advanced enough to really justify
its cost.

			Bob P.

-- 
              Bob Pendleton, speaking only for myself.
UUCP Address:  decwrl!esunix!bpendlet or utah-cs!esunix!bpendlet

		Reality is what you make of it.