Mark wrote:
stmx3 wrote in message ...

Never said they *will* build a replacement.


So you're saying that the reason that NASA aren't replacing Columbia
is that they're perfectly happy with only three shuttles, and not
because they don't have a hope in hell of getting the money to do so?

Mark

No...I'm saying that a new shuttle can be built. It won't happen
because of the difficulties (money, retooling costs, politics, time,
requirements)...but it is a physical possibility.

Perhaps I was being a little sentimental about equating human lives over
the shuttle machine. It's been pointed out that their was nothing
special about the jobs of the lost crew that can't be replaced, and I agree.

Now, if you want to tell me that it is physically impossible to build
another shuttle, despite the difficulties, then I think that will be the
start of an interesting debate.