NASA engineer quits 5 days before launch

Charlie Camarda had been director of engineering at the Johnson Space Center and played a major role on NASA's Mission Management Team that is preparing for this weekend's launch.

Unidentified sources at NASA told ABC News Camarda has been feuding with Wayne Hale, the manager of NASA's space shuttle program, and NASA Administrator Mike Griffin about treatment Camarda's engineers received when they raised concerns about the upcoming Discovery launch. Some engineers believe more substantial changes need to be made.

In a Tuesday email to his colleagues at Johnson, ABC News said Camarda reaffirmed his disappointment with NASA officials.

"I cannot accept the methods I believe are being used by this Center to select future leaders," he wrote. "I have always based my decisions on facts, data and good solid analysis. I cannot be a party to rumor, innuendo, gossip and-or manipulation to make or break someone's career and-or good name."

Copyright 2006 by United Press International