Below are two open letters written to Sean O'Keefe, administrator at NASA, and Ron Dittemore, Shuttle Program Manager. Mr. Dittemore is considering resigning, which we feel would be a a great loss for NASA and the space program. After the Challenger accident numerous top officials were replaced at NASA but circumstances were different then. To lose people like Ron Dittemore now could slow NASA moving forward with the space program. We are asking Mr O'Keefe to not accept Ron Dittemore's resignation.
Mr. Dittemore is an engineer who has been with NASA since 1977. He has been described by co-workers as an ethical individual who is very safety minded. He has previously halted launches for safety reasons and has shown he is not afraid to do so.
This is a pivotal time for NASA as they must find and fix the problems which led to the Columbia disaster. NASA needs someone with Ron Dittemore's experience and dedication.
We welcome letters/emails in support and they will be presented to Sean O'Keefe and Ron Dittemore, if you have something to say send it to Comments@starryskies.com. Please know that your support does make a difference!
Please also read this excellent article about NASA written by Mike Thomas, NASA needs a culture change, not new people.
Thanks,
Kathy Miles
Charles Peters II
Starryskies Network
Dear Sir,
We are asking that you refuse to accept the resignation of Ron Dittemore, Shuttle Program Manager. We believe his resignation would have a negative impact on the organization in general, the shuttle program and even the public who follow the space program.
I chose to study astronomy when I was a child and have since pursued it as a career. I was fortunate enough to grow up with the space program and because of that have always loved everything NASA stood for. I have followed every planetary mission, have gone to Florida and watched shuttle flights and never grew tired of the exploration of space. I have always defended NASA from the critics who think the money would be better spent elsewhere. I write a weekly science newspaper column and I consider it my responsibility to promote space exploration and encourage people to understand it and appreciate it. I co-founded a website with Chuck Peters which promotes NASA and space exploration, http://starryskies.com.. Chuck's father worked for JPL on the Pioneer and Voyager missions. I am proud to say we have more than 30,000 people visit the website each month as well as subscribers to a weekly newsletter we publish. Our site has been recommended by the National Science Teachers Association. It is with some difficulty then, that we find ourselves at odds with NASA over Ron Dittemore's resignation.
Mr. Dittmore has done a terrific job in his position of shuttle program manager. The job has been especially difficult since the shuttle accident and I can only begin to imagine what the entire NASA community went through that day, and the days after Columbia. But while others could mourn their losses, Ron Dittemore had the difficult task of being the person everyone would want answers from. Many people would have immediately sought blame elsewhere. Instead, he had the courage to come forward and promise both openness and answers. His sincerity was some comfort to a nation in shock over what had happened.
I realize there are critics who just want to blame someone for what happened, for some that is the only closure they find. Those seeking an easy answer might point at Ron Dittemore and blame him for being the "guy in charge." I have talked to some of these people myself and their level of understanding of the shuttle is minimal at best. To them, it's just a fancy airplane. They do not comprehend how complicated the shuttle is, and how very many people and managers are responsible for it.
While blaming Ron for being the guy in charge may satisfy some, it will solve nothing and neither will his resigning. We need answers to tell us what happened and how we can assure it doesn't happen again We believe that the person best suited to this task is Ron Dittemore. He, better then anyone else can make sure this tragedy doesn't happen again. We also strongly believe that in support of NASA, the public needs to encourage their senators and congressmen to assure NASA gets appropriate funding.
We would like to see Ron Dittemore walk away from NASA knowing that the problem was fixed and the shuttle is back flying safely. It is your choice, as NASA administrator to accept or refuse his resignation. We strongly urge that you do not accept it. He has performed outstandingly in his years at NASA and we feel he is the best person for the position.
Dear Sir,
We were greatly saddened to hear that you are seriously considering resigning from NASA. We felt so strongly about this, that we have written two open letters that will be published on our website, this one to you and another to Sean O'Keefe asking him to not accept your resignation.
Please know that our hearts went out to everyone at NASA, and the families and friends of the astronauts who lost their lives. We recognize how difficult it has been the past few months. Instead of retreating from the media as many would have done, you stood up and promised openness and answers.. Only a person with the highest ethical standards could have done that. It is not in doubt that in the months that have followed the tragedy, you have struggled through probably the most difficult course in your life. You were not free to mourn as many were, but instead had to face difficult questions as well as a public who demanded someone to blame.
We feel you should remain at NASA and continue the career you began in 1977. It is our understanding that many NASA coworkers admire and respect your leadership. At this difficult time, these people need guidance from someone who is insightful and straight forward and who is willing to face and solve a difficult problem. We think that person is you and so we ask you to reconsider your resignation.
"Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better."
-- Harry Truman
Kathy Miles
Charles Peters II
Starryskies Network