Tragically the Space Shuttle Columbia was lost on Saturday, and the inevitable recrimonations have begun.
There have been the inevitable calls for the termination of the manned space programme. But this seems unduly reactionary, and one hopes that the accident will be carefully studied and any mistakes made, remedied. Overall the Shuttle has proved to be a very safe design, if expensive. Should it be pensioned off? Probably given it was designed in 1979.
The other argument is about the benefits of space travel, and you could probably always argue a case for not doing something. But should we travel to Mars? Absolutely! It’s the human spirit. Some are explorers and we should let them explore.
I’d imagine that every one the seven astronauts who died realised there was an element of danger in what they did. But every time we get in a car, the same is true.