A Wide-Eyed Astronaut Becomes a NASA Critic - New York Times

A Wide-Eyed Astronaut Becomes a NASA Critic - New York Times: "A Wide-Eyed Astronaut Becomes a NASA Critic

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By JOHN SCHWARTZ
Published: January 24, 2006

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - It may be a little early, at 9 a.m., to hear a motivational speaker. Any motivational speaker. A certain bleariness sits over this crowd of about 50 financial and insurance conference planners.
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Rick Scibelli Jr./NASA, for The New York Times

Col. R. Michael Mullane, right rear, with his space shuttle crew.
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Audio & Photos Remembering the Challenger
Remembering the Challenger
Related Space Shuttle Disasters Help Chart Its Future

Report of the Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident (Nasa.gov)
NASA

PORTRAITS OF AN ASTRONAUT Col. R. Michael Mullane, above, when he was a space shuttle astronaut. Top, Colonel Mullane last week at home in Albuquerque. 'Testosterone is neurotoxic,' he said, explaining the behavior of early male astronauts toward their female counterparts.

But their attention sharpens as a video screen shows a space shuttle preparing to launch and a thin, reedy voice begins to describe what the takeoff feels like - from the inside.

At 15 seconds before launch, Col. R. Michael Mullane tells them, 'Our hearts are pounding, deep adrenal surges.'

He continues: 'T-"