WASHINGTON -- Responding to criticism by some lawmakers, NASA's top official has formally changed some rules for the board investigating the Columbia accident to remove references suggesting the space agency is overseeing the probe of itself.
In a letter to Ret. Admiral Harold Gehman, who heads the investigative panel, NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe said he was "exercising an overabundance of caution" by changing the board's operating charter. He urged Gehman to raise objections if the changes will interfere with the investigation.
"We are committed to an independent environment which permits the investigation to determine what caused the Columbia tragedy," O'Keefe wrote, adding that NASA is "prepared to support your efforts in any way the board feels appropriate."
O'Keefe's changes remove any deadlines for the board's report and instruct the board to publicly release its findings. O'Keefe also indicated that Gehman will add investigators to his panel and pledged that additional appointments "will be made expeditiously."
Under earlier rules, the board was to provide its final report directly to NASA within 60 days.
The changes respond to criticisms raised Wednesday when O'Keefe testified before a joint congressional panel. Some lawmakers - particularly House Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert, R-N.Y. - had expressed skepticism that investigators were operating independently from NASA under the old rules.
Rep. Bart Gordon, D-Tenn., said at the hearing that the investigative commission was dependent on NASA staff, adding, "I'm afraid this won't pass anybody's smell test."
Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., said NASA cannot very well "investigate itself."
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