by Regarding the Houston Chronicle’s July 10 editorial, "BREACH OF CONFIDENCE / Astronauts can’t explore space on a wing and a prayer": If more people had known about the shuttle’s problems, something might have been done differently – maybe. But the shuttle is the best that 1970s technology had to offer and nothing more. Its original design has been compromised by non-technical interference since its origination. Where are the scientific advances that will replace it? Since the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is woefully underfunded (compared to other agencies), how can we expect our best and brightest to work technological miracles? Or has this country simply lost interest in exploration and advancement?
The fact is that the shuttle should have been retired some years ago, put out to pasture by a better idea. Unfortunately, America chose to let the aerospace industry stagnate instead of investing in the one area that could have brought real dividends to everyone. Does anyone care?
