The media jeers again at a NASA launch

In regards to Marcia Dunn's article in the news today, "NASA Scrubs Shuttle Launch, Again"

As an aerospace engineering student, I have recently studied the media effects on NASA. I have gone so much in depth with this study that it has completely altered my desires to apply for NASA's astronaut program, and I will tell you specifically why:

Media and NASA go back many years with one specific tragedy that shaped space travel today. Everyone I know remembers where they were and what they were doing when The Challenger exploded, killing all that were aboard including civilian teacher, Christa McAuliffe.

In 1996, author Diane Vaughan published her book, The Challenger Launch Decision. Please follow as I quote her from page 12:
" Many posttragedy account speculated that media pressure was behind the launch decision. The Columbia launch, immediately preceding Challenger, was delayed seven times over a 25-day period, setting a record for both false stars and wave-offs for landing. Each delay had been greeted with jeers from the press. The Challenger launch had been delayed four times. Dan Rather's script for the evening news on Monday, January 27, ran, 'Yet another costly, red-faces-all-around space-shuttle-launch-delay. This time a bad bolt on a hatch and a bad weather bolt from the blue are being blamed.' John Quinones, of ABC's 'World News Tonight,' opened with 'Once again a flawless lift-off proved to be too much of a challenge for the Challenger.' Seeking to improve its public image, the 'media pressure' explanation went, NASA pushed ahead with the launch rather than be subjected to further ridicule."

With that said, my suggestion is that Marcia Dunn reads Diane Vaughan's book before she writes another snobby, sarcastic article titled "NASA Scrubs Shuttle Launch, Again." Have a little respect for the nation's space agency, the astronauts on board who are risking their lives for our technology, for the ENGINEERS who aren't perfect but are willing to delay launches to save lives, and for America's reputation. NASA and its teams of engineers should not have to feel pressure from, of all things, the media. This reflects very poorly on the Associated Press to people who are educated about the media's ability to cause such pressures.