h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I am still feeling very distressed about the loss of Columbia and her crew. I hope that the cause of the accident doesn't turn out to be something stupid and negligent like Challenger was.

This sort of thing only gives the anti manned spaceflight lobby more ammunition. They would happily throw our future away over an event like this. They don't appreciate how much that dishonours those people who not only dream the dream but have the courage to live it.

At least George W says the space programme will go ahead, I hope he keeps to that.

We desperately need some new space vehicles, though. The replacement for Shuttle is long overdue. Columbia was 22 years old. Let's face it, most people wouldn't keep a car that long.