Shuttle Grounded

Even with the Discovery in orbit, NASA has just grounded the fleet indefinitely, until they can 'solve' the foam problem.

Earlier today I was chatting with a friend and wondering if something had happened to Discovery and they had to send up Atlantis after them, what guarantee did NASA have that Atlantis wouldn't be struck by a piece of foam debris? Zero. And what then? Would the Russians have to send something up - could they? They don't have anything to bring fourteen people back at once.

For all intents and purposes, this is the end of the shuttle program. I hope and pray Discovery did not sustain any damage, and that the crew gets home safely. I hope we can go forward, smartly, wisely, and start over again.

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