[Desdemona]

Don't forget that we replaced the Challenger, with the Enterprise I think. It would take a couple of billion dollars.

Endeavor (sp?). The pricetag 17 years ago was $2.1 bil. It'll be a heck of a lot higher now.

I've read through the responses - I don't know. I'm betting on a combination of all of the above.

[Movemout]

Of course, it was the Endeavor. I have too much junk cluttering up my memory. I agree, $2B is probably not enough in today's dollars.

"I have worked in the space program for the past 22 years and I have seen my share of mission failures. :-("

I have too worked in this business for a long time, and your comments do not take into account the many missions unborn because of failures on the ground (testing), failures of our politicians to fund good ideas, failures of the executive branch to recognise good ideas, failures due to incompetent program managers, etc etc.

It is a wonder that we have made the progress that we have. I grieve for the loss of human life today, and its effect on the friends and families of these brave sojourners, but we must also acknowledge the many more deaths that have occurred over the years right here on planet earth developing and testing the technology employed in our space program