To Boldy Go Nowhere - The U.S. Space Program

To Boldy Go Nowhere
The U.S. Space Program
Shuttle Discovery Update

NASA engineers have reportedly determined that Discovery can return to Earth - safely - and that the space shuttle's thermal tiles don't pose a safety hazard. Discovery's tiles are said to have received two dozen "dings" during launch. NASA managers also decided to extend the mission one day, allowing the astronauts to do more work.

Meantime, NASA has grounded its shuttle fleet, until engineers figure out why at least four pieces of foam fell from Discovery's external fuel tank during launch. The ill-fated Columbia Mission in 2003 was a result of a similar incident involving falling foam during lift-off.

As a (former) reporter, I've covered several NASA missions in the "early days," as well as the launch of STS-1, the first space shuttle.

Now, let me ask you this? Its the 21st century, right? After close to half a decade of space flight, why are we merely content to just "circle the earth?" And WHY, a full quarter of a century AFTER the first Space Shuttle Mission, are we facing the continuing problem with the tiles? ANSWER: We have made - honestly - no fundemental scientific or technological progress in space flight.

Yes, we're STILL using the same obsolete rocket technology, as well as the same obsolete vehicles, as we were using a quarter of a century ago, to basically go, well, NOWHERE!