[logic101.net]

I think we need to re-think using the shuttles for "stunts".
We tried to put the first Teacher in space, and it blew up. Now we put the first Israli in space....

Yes, I know there were legit experiments going on with the mission. It is just that both of our losses with the shuttle program were on missions where we were trying to do a "first".

If they want to put the first truck driver in space, I think I'll pass.

Our prayers go out to the families of the crew.

MARK A SITY

[martin_fierro]

Post hoc, ergo propter hoc.

[Arkinsaw]

Yes, I know there were legit experiments going on with the mission. It is just that both of our losses with the shuttle program were on missions where we were trying to do a "first".

Agreed. I'm sure there are plenty of American specialists who could have performed the experiments that the Israeli astronaut performed. But it was a political decision to send an Israeli. Fine if all goes well. But now that it hasn't you have tied world and Middle-Eastern politics into this tragedy and that is not ever needed.

US spacecraft should only have professionally trained US astronauts on board. The International Space Station is essentially tied to the US Space Shuttle and thats something else we don't need.