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CNN Live Event/Special

O'Keefe Begins Presentation to Congress

Aired February 12, 2003 - 09:53   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: We have to go back to Capitol Hill where Sean O'Keefe, the head of NASA is now taking some questions from members of Congress. Let's listen in on this hearing.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

SEAN O'KEEFE, NASA ADMINISTRATOR: ... while we did not foresee this tragedy, our response has unfolded as we had planned and prepared for in that contingency plan that we hoped to never have to activate. This plan was one of many positive outcomes from the terrible loss of the space shuttle Challenger 17 years ago. We developed a plan shortly after that, and have updated it before every flight, and a contingency was simulated for this very event just three months ago.

ZAHN: We just wanted to give you a flavor of what Sean O'Keefe is up against. This was actually the beginning of his presentation, which is a 15-minute presentation, which will be followed by sharp questions from members of Congress.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired February 12, 2003 - 09:53   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: We have to go back to Capitol Hill where Sean O'Keefe, the head of NASA is now taking some questions from members of Congress. Let's listen in on this hearing.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

SEAN O'KEEFE, NASA ADMINISTRATOR: ... while we did not foresee this tragedy, our response has unfolded as we had planned and prepared for in that contingency plan that we hoped to never have to activate. This plan was one of many positive outcomes from the terrible loss of the space shuttle Challenger 17 years ago. We developed a plan shortly after that, and have updated it before every flight, and a contingency was simulated for this very event just three months ago.

ZAHN: We just wanted to give you a flavor of what Sean O'Keefe is up against. This was actually the beginning of his presentation, which is a 15-minute presentation, which will be followed by sharp questions from members of Congress.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com