Yes, the loss of life, particularly of such accomplished people, is tragic.

Yes, the loss of the craft is a disaster, particularly when there are so few.

But the experiments are the justification for the missions. Although visiting space is a sublime experience, the people who died yesterday were returning from a series of laboratory experiments. They left Earth as much to do a job as to fulfill a personal dream. Interviews with the astronauts indicate that they considered their laboratory work to be the essence of why they went up: to gather data to benefit everyone on Earth.

If there had been a choice between saving results and saving astronauts, we all know which option would have been chosen.

Regards--
Mary Anne