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From: barth@tellab1.UUCP (Barth Richards)
Newsgroups: net.columbia
Subject: Re: Challenger/depression/catharsis...
Message-ID: <796@tellab1.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 7-Feb-86 14:32:45 EST
Article-I.D.: tellab1.796
Posted: Fri Feb  7 14:32:45 1986
Date-Received: Tue, 11-Feb-86 06:12:28 EST
References: <362@lanl.ARPA> <334@frog.UUCP>
Reply-To: barth@tellab1.UUCP (Barth Richards)
Followup-To: net
Distribution: net
Organization: Tellabs, Inc., Lisle, IL
Lines: 42
Keywords: renewed interest in space program

In article <334@frog.UUCP> john@frog.UUCP (John Woods, Software) writes:

>A piece of all of our dreams died Tuesday.  We've just got to keep on
>dreaming, and keep on doing something about that dream.
>
>It has been noted by many commentators that the space program's popularity
>peaked because of the Apollo 1 tragedy -- the public took notice, and the
>public decided that the sacrifice demanded something from them.  I hope that
>this tragedy has a similar effect, and that the space program manages to come
>out of this stronger than before.

Yes, I hope so too. People had been taking the shuttle flights for granted.
They had become so routine, despite minor technical problems and delays,
that most people never gave the risks involved a second thought.

Like the Apollo I disaster, the Challenger tragedy should serve to remind
all of us who had begun to think of each shuttle mission as nothing so
much as an exotic airline flight, that the risks are real and the
acheivements monumental.

When the time comes for the launch of the next manned space flight, I think
that all Americans, and indeed many others around the world, will watch with
a renewed sense of tension, and even fear, which will, it is to be hoped, be
replaced with a lifting sensation of relief and a buoyant feeling of pride.

>Perhaps the next shuttle should be named "Phoenix".

I think that this would be quite appropriate. It reminds us of our loss,
and of the risks unavoidably bound to such lofty accomplishments to which
we aspire, and yet emphasizes our determination to continue.


                                Barth Richards
				Tellabs, Inc.
				Lisle, IL

				"With just one hand held up high
				 I can blot you out, out of sight.
				 Peek-a-boo, peek-a-boo, little Earth"

                                -Kate Bush
				"Hello Earth"