The Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) released its final report today. The CAIB report can be downloaded here.

As expected, the report included a lengthy set of analyses and recommendations concerning the technical factors related to the tragic accident of February 1, 2003. The CAIB also addressed the areas of management, decision-making and the "NASA culture" and how they relate to the catastrophic accident.

In the Executive Summary, the CAIB briefly described a number of organizational factors related to the accident, including "lack of an agreed national vision for human space flight". This is the area that must be addressed by policy makers and the American people.

I believe that it is vital for America to lead the way for all humanity in opening up space as a frontier for exploration, development and, yes, settlement. Commitment to this vision would would be worthy only of a civilization that cares about protecting and providing for future generations.