[Karsus]

The shuttle program IS A FAILURE. It meets none of the original specs. It doesn't lift enought, it takes too long to prep for launch, it takes too long to recycle between launches, it costs much more per launch than original projected and it doesn't come close to meeting the original saftey parms.

Other than that, the shuttle is a wonderful program.

We should build a new replacement space transport system.

[Mulder]

We should build a new replacement space transport system.

That and an extensive moon base, with eventual plans for Mars.

We need more advancing of the frontier, and less putting the first whoever in space, which seems to be one the primary missions of the shuttle program.

[BillyBoy]

>> The shuttle program IS A FAILURE. It meets none of the original specs. It doesn't lift enought, it takes too long to prep for launch, it takes too long to recycle between launches, it costs much more per launch than original projected and it doesn't come close to meeting the original saftey parms. Other than that, the shuttle is a wonderful program. We should build a new replacement space transport system. <<

I say no more money for NASA until they invest it a useful program. All these idiots do is rest on their laurals "We sent a man to a the moon in under a decade". Great NASA, and now it's THREE DECADES later and what have you accomplished? Let's see....we put John Glenn up again for a publicity stunt and blew up two shuttles. Hmmm.

Maybe if NASA came up with a bold new ship design for space travel, proposed a base on the moon, or FINALLY came up with a timetable for getting us to Mars, I would consider boosting their funding for the billions more they want.

Until then, NASA shouldn't get one extra cent while we're still figureing what "went wrong" with Columbia.