Screaming Penguin

The linked BBC article details how NASA managers say that NASA engineers and managers have the final authority and responsibility on the upcoming space shuttle launch. They have this authority regardless of whether or not they meet the Columbia investigation panels 15 recommendations. [Editorial] I have to say that it seems kind of sketchy to launch again WITHOUT meeting the recommendations. And that said I must admit that after more thought I have changed my mind about this entire manned space flight thing where it concerns the shuttles. I previously argued that we needed to forge on and that manned flight was important and that the shuttle was a viable way to do this. After more thought and research I now somewhat concur (with other posters that dissented on the previous article) that the shuttle is a horrible way to do this. I completely believe in funding science and exploration and such endeavours (in fact I would argue we need to fund a hell of a lot MORE science and research related projects, with a hell of a lot MORE money) but the shuttle is outdated and way too expensive. Also while I think manned space flight is essential to our future and to advancing knowledge about space travel in general I dont think the "missions" the shuttles go on really need people? We could explore far more and learn far more in a much less expensive manner without manned flight and without the shuttle. (Ala the Mars projects and Viking and Voyager and so on.) Overall I think we need a new "manned" vehicle that is more efficient (and yes, safer) and that its a good idea to pursue BOTH the manned flights (via a new vehicle) for the sake of learning more about manned flights in general (and how humans react to conditions and such) AND we need to concentrate and spend more on unmanned exploration. [/Editorial]    Nasa to have final say on shuttle