Man, twice in my lifetime is 2 times too many!! This really sux crackers. My thoughts & prayers are with the family members!
I think it is time for NASA to faze out the space shuttle. After all we are talking about a machine that was first conceived in the 1970's, and still relies on a lot of technology from that era. I believe our future resides in space exploration, but we need to fix this problem, and develop a new space launch vehicle.
NASA is also in need of direction (and better funding). After all there is only so much you can do farting around in Low Earth Orbit. Let's get on it! Everyone knows the Earth is getting way overpopulated, and we are depleting our resources at an ever increasing pace. Let's start harvesting resources from outside our planet. And, although this is farfetched, it is not impossible. Think about it, many asteroids are composed of nickel & iron. The technology should be there to mine them. What about colonies on the moon & Mars. The technological hurdles are there, but they can be overcome!
I know this is a longterm and expensive, goal, but it will be done. I know many will cry poverty, but, just think if during the golden age of European discovery (Columbus, Da Gama, etc.) the Kings & Queens said, "Thats' a good idea, but we don't have the money!"
Sad days, my friends.
P.S. And anyone who thinks this is Gods will, or "Gods vengeance" (as some Iraqi's have said), are so dumb, that they don't deserve to breath the same air as the rest of us!!
