Hi, Tom.

I don't know if you've read my posts,
yesterday; I tried reading all of them on Sunday.
But I also posted a topic/editorial
on a "silver lining of possibility"
on this "dark cloud of tragedy".

My post suggested that if NASA
shuttles are grounded for upto 3-years
for investigations to run their course
and for modifications to be built in
to the 3 remaining shuttles, that means
possibly 15-20 shuttle missions delayed the next 30-36 months.
NASA sets aside at least 200 million dollars to launch a shuttle.
15-20 shuttle launches [200 million dollars/launch] = 3-4 billion out of
NASA's budget.
The "silver lining" is that 3-4 billion dollars out of NASA's budget the next three years.
There are eight choices that NASA,
GW Bush, and your Congress can select from.
[1] Allow the 3-4 billion dollars to
be kept or returned to the US taxpayer.
[2] Use that money to pay for a
replacement shuttle.
[3] Use that money to R&D liquid-fueled strap-on boosters and other safety additions to the remaining
space-shuttles.
[4] Revive the X-38 ISS "lifeboat"
project.
[5] Revive the Europa Orbiter project.
[6] Fund a Mars Sample Return Mission.
[7] VASIMR.
[8] Another space-project option.

By all means copy this, Tom, and send
it to your Congressman/woman.
I feel those brave and deceased astronauts would desire that the 3-4 billion should go into one or two or three of those choices that deal with space-projects.

Jacob