Space Shuttle's "Return to Flight"

[Ghoulish Delight]

Sweeet, MSNBC finally has the full video up. Watching the shuttle perform its final roll maneuver, and then watching as the main engines/fuel tank fall away was spectacular! At least some good has come out of the tragic deaths of the Columbia crew, these new cameras are already bringing some new, fascinating views.

As for the time after an accident, it's a cumulative thing that probably can't be reversed. With each accident comes new safety measures and more complexity. And with more complexity comes more need for investigation and careful planning to implement even newer safety measures. At this point, the shuttles are right at the envelope. Every tiny bit of extra weight, extra expense, or change in shape needs to be scrutinized for its effect on the whole package. You can't just slap a quick fix on. Not so much because the quick fix won't solve the problem, but because the quick fix won't fit into the exacting specifications. Extra equipment means extra fuel. How much extra fuel, and can the tank hold it? And when does it become cost prohibitive? And does it require reconfiguring the launch tower? Etc., etc., etc. It's the unfortunate side effect of the complexity of the machine, not so much fear.