In this interview with Tom Fowler, Space Shuttle Astronaut Charles Bolden Jr. offers a candid reflection of the aftermath of the Challenger disaster and its reverberations throughout United States space exploration. The future NASA administrator notes that the nature of his work in space is high risk, and the events of the Challenger disaster only made this clearer.
Bolden questions the assessment of space operation risks, emphasizing that success lies in finding the balance of understanding the disaster and solutions going forward. Continuing with this notion of balance, Bolden speaks about the operations of the Space Transportation system and the presence of its role in the future of space exploration. Upon being asked about future technologies, Bolden speaks about the need for reassessment due to the Challenger disaster. He outlines the importance of understanding and reflecting upon objectives and goals when met with adversity or misfortune.
The interview turns towards international relation as Fowler and Bolden discuss the dynamic between the United States and Soviet Russia and the possibilities of joint missions.
The program closes with Bolden’s optimism about flying in space again as he touches on astronauts not being able to fly for the time being.
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