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From: al@vger.UUCP ( Informatix)
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Re: Future of the Space Program
Message-ID: <322@vger.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 31-Jan-86 03:44:55 EST
Article-I.D.: vger.322
Posted: Fri Jan 31 03:44:55 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 1-Feb-86 21:01:24 EST
References: <12178969201.19.DENNETT@SRI-NIC.ARPA>
Organization: UC Santa Cruz, CIS Dept.
Lines: 19

In article <12178969201.19.DENNETT@SRI-NIC.ARPA>, DENNETT@SRI-NIC.ARPA (Steve Dennett) writes:
> 
> - What kind of escape mechanism (if any) does the shuttle have for the crew?

Only the orbiter itself, plus various ways of getting out of the orbiter
on the ground or in the water.  For the accident that occured, no imaginable
safety device would have been even slightly useful.

> 
> - Will this be a setback for the space program, 

You bet it is.  25% of the fleet, half of TDRSS, 6 astronauts, the first
passenger, months (at least) of delay, a launch schedule blown completely
away, customers who won't launch on time ...

> due to public disapproval
>   or the government's need to find (and punish) someone?

I doubt that these will be major issues.