Tragedy should not shelve space program
As the nation recovers from the shock of Saturday morning’s space shuttle tragedy, one of the next logical questions is what happens next?
One of the obvious answers is the United States, and NASA, need to work toward overcoming this disaster and continue with the monumental challenge of exploring what exists in the vast galaxy beyond our planet.
It is fitting to remember and say a prayer for the seven astronauts who were willing to take the chance of venturing into space. As we have learned in the past – and as we were reminded over the weekend – this is a dream which carries great risks.
A safe journey into space and then back to Earth is guaranteed to no one. The dangers are well known and the choice to board a space shuttle is completely voluntary.
We’re confident the seven astronauts who perished would not want NASA to suspend its programs because of their deaths. We don’t need another two-and-a-half year layoff like the one which occurred after the space shuttle Challenger exploded, unless that’s what is absolutely necessary.
What is needed is to get to the root of the problem which doomed Columbia on its return trip to Earth Saturday. If it was in fact a problem with the shuttle’s thermal tiles as has been suggested, then every possible way of preventing that problem from recurring must be explored.
We must also be certain to keep this disaster in perspective. People, unfortunately, die on our nation’s roadways every day and yet we continue to drive. People die in airplane crashes and we continue to fly.
The United States needs to maintain its focus, keep safety as its most pressing concern, and continue missions with its fleet of space shuttles. The desire to know what’s out there, to know what exists beyond our universe, is too great to ease up now.
President Bush appears to be thinking along the same lines. In his latest budget, prepared before Columbia disintegrated above Texas, the president has asked Congress to give NASA a 3 percent increase in its annual funding — up to $15.5 billion. This includes $3.97 billion earmarked solely for space shuttle spending.
The is the course America must continue to take. To give astronauts the best chance of survival, NASA needs the best available funding to develop the best technology in the world.
When the wounds opened by the Columbia tragedy begin to heal with time, America needs to be ready to take more bold steps into space. We can’t allow this setback to derail what’s a promising future — a future which includes an already operational international space station. Who knows what other great strides are in store.