[Alberta's Child]

Very good post. Space flight is inherently risky by its very nature.

One thing I would point out, though, was that the "PR" aspects of the Challenger's fateful last flight were a glaring indication to me that NASA was setting itself up for a disaster.

The whole notion of space travel had turned into little more than a theatrical PR display -- as evidenced by the focus on putting as many women and minorities on these flights as possible (think of the crew members of the Challenger, including two women, a black guy and a Hawaiian guy). It was almost as if NASA -- and this country in general -- didn't consider a shuttle flight any more risky (or noteworthy) than a ride in a Greyhound bus.

[TigersEye]

One thing I would point out, though, was that the "PR" aspects of the Challenger's fateful last flight were a glaring indication to me that NASA was setting itself up for a disaster.

It will probably really chafe some hides but I have always thought that they sent Challenger up to please Pres. Reagan. They had made a big deal about the "first teacher in space" and Reagan was all set to include it in his State of the Union speech. The launch had been scrubbed at least twice before IIRC and the day it did go was the day of or the day before the SotU Address. It was the last chance to combine the two.