 On the NASA side , Joseph Shea resorted to barbiturates and alcohol in order to help him cope . NASA administrator James Webb became increasingly worried about Shea 's mental state . Shea was asked to take an extended voluntary leave of absence , but Shea refused , threatening to resign rather than take leave . As a compromise , he agreed to meet with a psychiatrist and to abide by an independent assessment of his psychological fitness . This approach to remove Shea from his position was also unsuccessful . Finally , six months after the fire , Shea 's superiors reassigned him to NASA headquarters in Washington , D.C. Shea felt that his new post was a " non @-@ job , " and left after only two months . 
