We've lost millions in auto accidents. Should we stop driving and flying? The shuttle is a pre 1st generation prototype. It was suppose to be a testbed for future vehicles, instead it became a workhorse. Something it should've never been. If they had kept the orbiter and launcher separate, then refining and advancing the design would've been doable. Retire one model of orbiter as a newer model is designed and built while keeping your launcher (which is separate) operational. The shuttle's critical flaw was mounting the main engines to the orbiter. That decision insured that further development and refinement was stopped at a late 60s/early 70s level.
A cheap disposable program isn't going to get us anywhere. At some point we're going to have to start developing real equipment and real infrastructure. Tinfoil and duct tape are not the things on which to build a civilization.
Space/Science » in reply to 2nd Generation Shuttle - A DUMB idea
We've lost many thousands in airplane accidents.
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