christensen@apollo.uucp (Wendy Christensen) (02/06/86)
I have read of the expected setbacks in scientific and military missions to
be caused by a several-months grounding of all space shuttles. It seems that
everyone is assuming that a lengthy grounding is inevitable and necessary. I
do not see why this must be assumed. 24 safe and successful flights indicates
that no major design flaw is responsible for the recent disaster. Rather, I
suspect that errors in craftsmanship (construction/repair techniques, for
example) will be found. But, while the investigation goes forward, we should
keep flying! By all indications, there would be no lack of willing (and eager)
crews (although the launch might produce a bit more *nervous time* than before).
It seems to me that a lengthy grounding is more politically than technically
motivated.
Realistically, *ANY* launch, any mission, risks the loss of the shuttle and its
crew. This has always been true; in a system so complex the risk is always there.
What we should do is 1) after a reasonable period of study and evaluation of the
accident, resume mission schedules; and 2) build more shuttles. To those who
might consider this point of view "heartless" in terms of the terrible loss of
Challenger, consider this: what better memorial to the astronauts, and what would
any one of them have wanted more than anything?
To anyone who hasn't seen the film "The Dream is Alive" in the theatre at the
National Air and Space Museum - it's worth the trip to Washington, from anywhere.
Go see it!!