[Mamzelle]

After the Challenger disaster, there was a long hiatus. That doesn't mean the same thing will happen. I doubt that this disaster will be the trauma that the Challenger was. But--we'll have to see. My hope is that there will be a renewed focus on non-renewable mission craft. Just in the last ten years, we've had a flowering of robotics that could finally open our solar system to new exploration. But, trying to maked them manned will make them impossible.

[rintense]

WOFL reporter said there was a two year break in the shuttle program after Challenger.

[KevinDavis]

Sorry we need to continue with human flights. Yes we have some success with robots, but they are very limited.

[Movemout]

"After the Challenger disaster, there was a long hiatus. That doesn't mean the same thing will happen. I doubt that this disaster will be the trauma that the Challenger was."

You may be right but don't bet the farm on it.

"Non-renewable"? I assume you mean expendable launch vehicles, or conversely, non-rusable launch vehicles. I think there is a proper mix of manned and unmanned missions. I do not dispute the value of robotic exploration of the solar system. In fact, much will have to be done in this area before we send humans to anyplace in the solar system.