From stmx3:
Stuf4 wrote:
From Mark ):

Like it or not, NASA can afford to lose shuttle crews, but they can't
afford to lose another shuttle. There won't be year-long shutdowns and
government investigations if a shuttle crew get run over by a bus, but
there probably won't be any more shuttle flights if they lose another
orbiter, whether or not the crew survive.


Interesting position that NASA can afford to lose crews. I understand
the economics behind that statement, but I see it to be untenable in
the face of public opinion.


~ CT

I ditto your last sentiment. The only thing keeping NASA going, AFAIK,
is the will of the public (and, of course, NASA being a neat source of
congressional pork). NASA can *always* build another shuttle, despite
the difficulties, but they will *never* find another crew like the one
on STS-107.

The way I see it, following the Columbia wreck the primary factor that
saved the US space program was...

The Chinese!


~ CT