So far, the operation has recovered 8% of the shuttle's orbiter, 9% of its giant fuel tank and 5% of its boosters. There has been no trace of the cabin that held the seven crew members. Nevertheless, NASA believes that, within two to three months, it could find everything relevant to the investigation. Edward O'Connor, the Air Force colonel leading the search effort for NASA, believes 90% of the shuttle could be recovered within six months.

Divers or one of several submarines and smaller "submersibles" inspect the objects the sonar has mapped. Pieces of the shuttle are videotaped and photographed and then they are hauled up by basket, manipulator arm or 100-ton crane.

The cost of the search and salvage has remained one of NASA's secrets. Nevertheless, [Deborah Burnette] said that published figures of $50,000 a day are gross underestimates.