[the invisib1e hand]

Expensive (training, suit usage, time lost from other pursuits) and risky (only a matter of time before an astronaut's suit is holed by dust or debris.)

expensive, relative to what? seven lives and a shuttle? risky, relative to what? complete loss on re-entry? puh-leeze.

[buccaneer81]

expensive, relative to what?

When you have a budget at NASA that is routinely outpaced by foodstamps, horny toad research and midnight basketball, you learn to make do. $15 billion is pissing in the ocean.