Secular Pinoy

Bob Park, in his book Voodoo Science, is critical of Manned Space Missions, since they are very expensive, and gobbling up all the research money from NASA which could've been used for cheaper, unmanned missions. So while I am really saddened by the tragedy, I don't think losing the Manned Space Program would really be that bad.

seesaw

This is a sad day, and it's a shame.

I have a question; I was wondering when the new space shuttle/craft that nasa is making going to done.

Asha'man

seesaw,

There have been several attempts to build a replacement for the shuttle. To the best of my knowledge, all have been canceled with big budget problems. I did read something recently about another attempt, I'll try to find it for ya..

Any new vehicle would probably be 7-10 years away, at best.

NASA Pulls Shuttle Replacement

Principia,

The ice or foam insulation would have come off during the actual launch, not pre-launch. I saw a short video clip, and it looked like the shuttle was already a mile or so up...

seesaw

Thanks. but also

Mr. Sammi

My regrets...

from Sammi & Family...



Sammi Na Boodie (on with the job)

Principia

SP,

The manned space program has become more of a status symbol, demonstrating the technological achievements of the nation. It is one of the reasons why China, e.g., is also pursuing a manned space trip. Anyway, NASA is going to have hell to pay, I think.

Asha'man,

I am only as informed as the media are... and one of them keeps calling the Challenger fiasco, the "Discovery incident from '86" Maybe I need to change the channel. Another rumor: A plane was seen close to the shuttle at the time ... only planes rarely go as high as the shuttle is during reentry. ABC kept talking about the cabin being a separable module, which might allow the astronauts to escape via parachutes. A lot of wishful thinking.

Abacus

This is terrible.

What are the chances that any of the remaining aging shuttle craft will ever be allowed to fly again?

ajm51987

I've been up for 5 minutes, I can't believe it..

shit.

Shadow Wraith

This is absolutely terrible. I still remember the Challenger incident from '86. Those poor people.

Not only is this bad for the space program, but bad for science as well. This is going to at the very least make the general populace that much more suspect of science in general. My mother, a conservative xian, is already saying that the entire space program is bullshit. In addition, she says that she thinks terrorists were responsible since Columbia had the first Israeli astronaut.

Principia

Now they're talking about the impact on the International Space Station w/o a working shuttle fleet (most of which will probably be grounded while this investigation is going on, anyway). The ripples grow.