Concerning the organizational problems mentioned in Peter B. de Selding’s articles in the May 23 issue of Space News [“Europe’s Herschel-Planck Mission Is Over Budget, Behind Schedule,” page 1 and “Herschel-Planck Woes Highlight Structural Problem for ESA,” page 4] here are my thoughts:
– The goals of the European Space Agency (ESA) are fine.
– The general structure of the ESA is fine.
– What is needed is to work out the kinks mentioned in the second article .
I don’t have any silver bullet. If someone else does, fine. So most likely ESA’s structural problems will need to be worked out gradually over a period of months and years.
Russell B. Clousing
Lansing, Michigan