I wish I believed differently, but I am too pragmatic. It will take a national will like the space program has not seen since the Apollo days to overcome this. With national priorities so focused on war, and rightly so, at the moment, I fear that NASA manned space will take back seat for the near future.
It is an opportunity to reinvigorate the aerospace industry in this country. But the question is really a political one, do we have the political will to spend the enormous capital it will take to revive the program.
I think the next manned space vehicle has a high likelihood of being military. Justifiably or not, NASA may no longer be entrusted with the manned space role.
Of course, these are just thoughts right now. Its too early to know what will happen, and as I stated earlier, I am stunned at the loss of a former classmate and friend, feel for the families of all, and feel a great sadness inside myself as the Shuttle program was a great inspiration for me in my own career.