Putting Astronauts on SLS Debut Flight Sparks Safety Group's Concern

A safety oversight panel expressed concern Thursday about an idea, currently being studied by NASA, to put astronauts aboard the first flight of the heavy-lift Space Launch System rocket. In a meeting yesterday (Feb. 23) at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA's independent Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel said the reason to put astronauts aboard the debut flight of SLS must be compelling enough to override additional costs, scheduling impacts and safety risks.