[RightWhale]

Amounts to essentially the same. The O-rings failed to contain the gases. This is not a good thing in machinery. We master nature with our machines, which is fine so long as the machines don't get out of control. But the machines get out of control a lot. Guess we aren't all that good at mastering nature even if we do well from time to time.

[Normal4me]

You make a great point. We are still all human beings taking on cutting edge innovations to the best of our abilities and knowledge. One of the news shows about an hour ago brought up the fact that the shuttle is 1970's technology. A panelist brought up the point that the 747 is 1970's technology too. We still crash F-16's during training missions, ships still sink, refineries still catch fire, etc.

I still say that two losses out of 112 for a vehicle as complicated as the Space Shuttle is damned good. If it was easy, everyone else would be doing it to right? ;-)