[samtheman]

Space-based Missle Defense was never invisioned to be part of a manned space program. We can have Ballistic Missle Defence --- controlled and operated in orbit --- without the participation of astronauts.

Military surveillance satellites do not depend on a manned space program. We can, should and will continue to send ever more sophisticated military lookdown technology into orbit --- without any dependence on the state of shuttle or ISS missions.

There may be an argument for continuing with the ISS program on its own merits, but it has nothing to do with the absolute necessity of the US military to keep the orbital high-ground under our control.

The trend in military aviation is, in fact, AWAY from human pilots, not towards an increased dependence on them. What the Predator can do at low altitudes, an army of high-tech/high-orbit satellites can do in space --- all without the need for human pilots.

These are two completely separate issues. They are completely independent of one another.

[lmr]

I was referring to Space Exploration and conquest in general, not specifically manned flights. NASA should not privatize, simply for the sake of NATIONAL DEFENSE. That is all I said. I didn't say anything about manned vs. unmanned flights. You missed the point. I said I am against a COMPLETE privatization of our national space program.

[BushCountry]

Neither the people who died yesterday or their families share your veiw. Mankind needs to expand or whither on the vine. If anything their deaths occurred because of a lack of boldness, the shuttles should have been replaced years and years ago.