I think NASA should just give up

[screaming_emu]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060703/ap_on_sc/space_shuttle;_ylt=AgscXFNdRZnmN1xDCsBRnsGs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA2Z2szazkxBHNlYwN0bQ--

if you had a car that was having this many issues, what would you do? I'd friggin junk it.

[MaxPower]

5 inch, Is that a problem ? Fill that gap-crack and launch already !

[mikecweb]

<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/greatstuff.JPG>
$4.97 at The Home Depot.

[pkonowrocki]

I just hope it's gonna fly to space. I've always been a big fan of space shuttles and everything connected to the space. I was planing to go to Florida to see the launch as soon as I turn 18 but it looks like we won't see that much launches and you never know if it's actually gonna happen or not.

[MaDbOy]

5 inch, Is that a problem ? Fill that gap-crack and launch already !

And risk the life of the Crew.

[pkonowrocki]

And risk the life of the Crew.
I agree I wouldn't risk even if it was 0.5 inch. Remember what happened to Challenger and Columbia....

[bbuse]

After all this time and the re-designs that have been done on the external tank, I would have expected things to go better than this!! :-( This latest development certainly doesn't do anything to give confidence in the safety of the shuttle.

[mapguy]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060703/ap_on_sc/space_shuttle;_ylt=AgscXFNdRZnmN1xDCsBRnsGs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA2Z2szazkxBHNlYwN0bQ--

if you had a car that was having this many issues, what would you do? I'd friggin junk it.

You don't know my wife and her Civic...

[Airbus_A320]

It's probably gonna take another incident for them to decide this might not be worth it anymore.

I agree with Emu. They should just develop something else, and forget the current shuttle. The thing can't even fly on it's own, you faq up the approach and your done. Not to mention the time, money, and preperation it takes to just to get the thing together and launched. And a new fuel tank each time, ect, and pretty outdated technology too. If we plan to keep going into space and actually accomplish anything up there other than just adding junk to the asteroids and what not we need something that is simpler to get off the ground and back.

[uy707]

I am amazed they did NOT go ahead to come up with viable replacements as soon as 1986 !!!!
Alain

[MaxPower]

And risk the life of the Crew.

That's not what I meant with my post. Either that or just scrap the whole program, and start all ove again like other guys said !

[Dantheman]

http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/151882main_ISS013E48791_lo.jpg

Imagine what the left wing (wing glove) of Columbia would have looked like. :-(

[scramjet]

It's time for NASA to get out of manned missions, period. It's private enterprise's turn, and the airline pilots, lol, like Virgin Galactic and a few others are hiring.

The thing can't even fly on it's own
Most complex flight plan spaceships can't especially aerodynamic spacecraft. Even complex flight plan rockets need a room full of mission controllers. I think if we are ever going to get costs down, we'll need a ship that has two modes: manned with two pilots, no ground except for basic control etc, unmanned with the same crew except on the ground and with minimal aux support teams. Even the space shuttle needs thousands of "crew" off the the ship to fly.

[aca_srbija]

i wonder how the Russians are going in terms of their Space program? Maybe the US and Russia could develop a space craft together.

[Crunk415balla]

i wonder how the Russians are going in terms of their Space program? Maybe the US and Russia could develop a space craft together.
Possibility I guess.

[scramjet]

I am amazed they did NOT go ahead to come up with viable replacements as soon as 1986 !!!!
Alain
They did. The National Aerospace Plane which was in part scramjet powered (yeah, I power everything baby). Some conceptual work was done and some components I believe were actually produced before it was cancelled. Then the X-33 was slated to replace the shuttle in the 90s but then that was cancelled. The bottom line is there has been many NASA and/or defense spacecraft proposals but practically all have been cancelled. I almost wonder if the new CEV won't end up being cancelled in favor of using Russia's proposed new aerodynamic craft. Although the CEV has a better chance because it is supposedly mainly off the shelf components. The Air Force, according to a reputable source (Aviation Week and Space Technology), recently retired a secret two stage completely resuable manned spacecraft called Blackstar. Seeing as it is retired and to some extent publicly known (although from what I understand the USAF hasn't admitted to it yet) this technology should be given over to NASA. The ship(s) apparently had a good operational record.

[ualwillstand]

I dont think they should develop anything.. Is space really that important? by finding life on mars or any other planet really worth the billions of dollars wasted every launch? I think its crap and we should use the governments money a little better. Maybe to help improve our country rather than worrying about the neverending black abis.

[Top_Gun]

I dont think they should develop anything.. Is space really that important? by finding life on mars or any other planet really worth the billions of dollars wasted every launch? I think its crap and we should use the governments money a little better. Maybe to help improve our country rather than worrying about the neverending black abis.

I couldn't agree with you more, I keep wondering the same thing. Are we getting our money's worth with what we found out from going to the moon, sending some ship to mars? I doubt it, put that money towards finding some cure for cancer or something else.

[scramjet]

I dont think they should develop anything.. Is space really that important? by finding life on mars or any other planet really worth the billions of dollars wasted every launch? I think its crap and we should use the governments money a little better. Maybe to help improve our country rather than worrying about the neverending black abis.
I agree with you. Government should get out of manned flights and let commercial ventures take over for space tourism, mining, etc and non profits for scientific exploration

[NWA 757 351]

i wonder how the Russians are going in terms of their Space program? Maybe the US and Russia could develop a space craft together.

What ever happened with their "Buran" program?That thing hasn't ever flown. Let me guess, the structure on the outside was complete, and the inside was empty.. :D