| INVESTIGATION
BOARD MOVES TO DENVER CAPE CANAVERAL AIR STATION,
Fla. – The Titan IVA-20 Accident Investigation Board is relocating to Denver, Colo.,
according to Air Force officials.
The move will allow investigators to work more closely with the
Engineering Analysis Board, according to Maj. Gen. Robert C. Hinson, AIB president. The
EAB is a joint Air Force, Lockheed Martin, and National Reconnaissance Office team of
experts appointed to analyze the entire Titan IVA-20 launch process from an engineering
standpoint. The AIB will integrate the data it collects into a report which is releasable
to the public.
"Logistically, the move makes sense," Hinson said.
"We will be able to coordinate efforts more efficiently."
The AIB announced Sept. 2, that the Titan IVA-20 failure appears to
be related to an anomaly within the electrical and guidance compartment. The Air Force is
working to determine the specific cause of the malfunction.
Hinson said the Navy search and salvage team will continue the
arduous task of combing the ocean for debris from the Titan IVA-20 mishap. Despite the
rough seas brought on by Hurricanes Bonnie and Danielle, the 61-member dive team has been
able to recover approximately 30 percent of the launch vehicle and 80 percent of the
spacecraft.
The divers are using side-scan sonar equipment and metal detectors
to survey the impact area in search of some remaining critical components on the ocean
floor.
"We believe some of these components may be essential to the
final analysis of mishap cause," Hinson said.
Note to editors/reporters: If you have
any questions about the Titan IVA-20 investigation, you may contact Capt. LeWonnie Belcher
at (407) 476-3436 until Sept. 18. She can be reached at (303) 971-3693 effective Sept. 21.
Send faxes to (303) 971-2516. |
