[Orangedog]

Foam or no foam, maybe they should have considered retiring a space craft that was over 20 years old. NASA should have been actively developing a replacement for the shuttle after Challenger.

Oh well, maybe when the Chinese start their manned space program in a couple of years we'll get some real leadership at NASA. China has been itching to take the lead away from us some area. Space travel will probably be there area of choice.

[hopespringseternal]

NASA should have been actively developing a replacement for the shuttle after Challenger.

The problem with NASA is so large it is hard to explain it.

They don't design spacecraft, they design artillery and man-rate it. Over the last thirty years, every failed effort from NASA has followed that paradigm.

Their greatest failure has been the inability to be the catalyst for a thriving space industry. Instead they have been a wet blanket.

The Challenger and Columbia accidents are but two symptoms of a bureaucracy in its dotage.

[snopercod]

Do you retire an airliner after 25 flights?

[Alter Kaker]

Oh well, maybe when the Chinese start their manned space program in a couple of years we'll get some real leadership at NASA.

Not couple of years. China says it will put man in space this year. We believe this, oddly, is good thing.

[The_Victor]

Foam or no foam, maybe they should have considered retiring a space craft that was over 20 years old. NASA should have been actively developing a replacement for the shuttle after Challenger.

NASA cannot build what Congress won't fund.