[NormsRevenge]

The challenge in here is not to believe the "experts", it is to disprove them. The problem here is, a lot of folks in here are dead nuts on as they do know their stuff. I struggle to keep up with a lot of folks in here so don;t feel alone.

The key benefits of the shuttle design was its ability to deliver a good sized payload and or crew into orbit and then be able to re-use the vehicle.

Unfortunately, it hasn;t performed like a PeterBilt or Mack truck, tho it has been a workhorse for a lot of years. But we do need a new approach and better vehicles if we ever hope to travel further out into the solar system.

[Will_Zurmacht]

I am just an average joe with a passing interest in space. I was born after the last man walked on the moon, so for a lot younger folks, space shuttles "seem" routine, though events like this weekend remind us that they are not. For many, it appears to be no different than a flight to London, as odd as that sounds

As a normal citizen, and no scientist, I occasionally pick up a book or two on space, just for the interest of it. We normal folks pick up books with "Mars Direct" missions and think "Why not?"

Then I read that every time we launch a shuttle we are essentially rolling dice. So for a simpleton like myself, the question is " If we have a hard time managing this, how will we ever get to Mars?"

But once again, I am just a simpleton who would like the see the first man on Mars wearing an American Flag on his arm.......