[an amused spectator]

The men and women who go up there know that their lives are endangered from the get-go.

Their resumes are awesome.

We'd like to get them as much information as we can, but time, money and other things sometimes intervene.

I detest this emoting over uncontrollable circumstance.

[Revolting cat!]

Well stated (# 254.) The risks are high (2%, some FReeper very reasonably calculated,) and they know it, even if the public doesn't and the bureaucrats and even the NASA engineers won't admit it. Also, shiite happens, I maintain. The more I read about it the more I realize how rinky dink, seat of the pants this entire operation is (No rescue options whatever? One day's supply of oxygen when they are to land?) We may never know what happened, and the grave seriousness of the post-disaster process, including this prosecution is just beyond words, and in my opinion, entirely futile. Don't believe the hype, it ain't gonna save nobody's life now!

I always say (though not exactly this way,) shiite happens!