littlemissattitude

Well the shuttle made it home, although it had to land in California instead of Florida. Which doesn't bug me...I like it when the shuttle lands here. Sometimes we are even under the flight path and get to hear the sonic booms as it passes overhead. But there are still problems with the shuttle program, and there are serious questions about whether or not it should continue. So, what do you think? Vote in the poll and then tell us why you voted the way that you did.

Oh, and as a side question: If you had the chance to go into space, would you?

Princess Ivy

i really don't know. but, i can answer the second part. yes. i'd go into space, especially if colonisation was available.

Alexa

I think the shuttle program should continue. The training for an astronaut takes years and it's not easy. If those astraonauts have to find another job, all the years they'd spent in exhausting simulations, will be lost for ever. I know they have problems, but they should find other solutions or other type of shuttles, if necessary.

Do you have a spaceship for me ? I'm ready to go. :wink:

__________________
"Dare to live the life you have dreamed for yourself. Go forward and make your dreams come true" (R.W. Emerson)

Quokka

Unfortunately continuing the shuttle program seems to be the only viable option. Speeding up development of the replacement craft is likely to create as much risk and cost as continuing with the shuttle. the last missions for the shuttle, i think, are all based around completing the ISS and so much money has already been spent both in America and other nations that I think it should be completed. I do think were just beginning to see the end of primarily government funded and driven space exploration/development, commercial involvement may be in its infancy but at a guess id say the growth will be exponential, slow for the next few years maybe even few decades but once it hits that critical mass of profit.... who knows.

And yes I would go into space, If i could get a seat on the first manned mission to Mars it'd be the only thing that I can think of that would make me consider spending months away from my family.

cyborg_cinema

They need to develop a better heat shield.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:S...eat_shield.jpg

It's like, "hmm, that one looks ok, um replace this one..."