I thought anybody joining this board was a spacenut of some kind.

Therefore, we should understand how difficult it is to send humans to space.
NASA isn't doing the right thing? But there are the Russians too! I've noticed how little attention is paid to the Soviet-Russian space program, from americans.
The Shuttle is the only game in town for US manned space access. Private companies haven't been able to convince banks they could do it for a profit.
The shuttles are the most complex vehicles ever built by humans; they are extremely precious, expensive and at the same time go through most extreme stresses.
The price to go up there, to fulfill our dreams.

Raoul