Atlantis launch scrubbed

NASA has scrubbed the launch for a one day because of the faulty fuel sensor, but while they say things like this:

“We had a lot discussion…and we follow the rules,” NASA launch director Michael Leinbach told Jett, adding that the scrub falls in line with shuttle flight restrictions.

They make decisions like this:

If all four sensors work fine, or if the problem occurs exactly as seen today, Atlantis could launch on Saturday, NASA spokesperson June Malone told SPACE.com.

So in other words, if it mysteriously starts working, they'll launch. If it doesn't work, they'll launch. NASA has been having problems with these sensors for years--why in the hell don't they just redesign it or get them from a different manufacturer? They've had time. But instead, they'll just cross their fingers and hope.

I've always said--even after Challenger and Columbia--that I'd fly on a shuttle on a moment's notice. But after watching how NASA is handling this flight, it's clear to me that they're back to being more concerned about schedules than safety. And part of the problem is Bush's arbitrary 2010 deadline to retire the fleet. Let's forget the deadline, finish the station, and when it's done, retire the shuttles. I guess that's just too logical for politicians and administrators to understand.