Was the Shuttle a success?

Question

Concidering the enormous cost, failure to live up to it's promises, loss of two vehicles and 14 lives, do you think the Space Shuttle will go down in history as a success given that there have been over 125 flights so far, as compared to the 21 Apollo manned flights or will it always be remembered for the two accidents?

Every article you read lately mentions the loss of the two shuttles. Space travel is a dangerous business and I think overall the shuttle program was a success. The ISS is near completion and the Hubble turned out to be an outstanding contribution to science.

To: nrao_kid
Don't get your panties twisted. Yes this is a opinion poll, THAT should have been stupidly obvious, even to you.
Do us all a favor. Get back of the Ritalin or stay out of yahoo answers. Your attitude stinks.

Answer 1

Well Personally I think the shuttle is a Total Failure to bring down launch cost, But as well for many other reasons that would take to long to explain, If you have a Library near you check out this book it one of my Personal favorites it call ( LOST IN SPACE : The Fall Of Nasa And The Dream Of A New Space Age, By Greg Klerkx) he use to work for the S.E.T.I Institute so he know the in's and out's of the Nasa Space Program it a very good book if you truly want to know about why NASA is in Poor Shape.

Answer 2

What is this, an opinion poll?

And how stupidly obvious.

The Apollo program cost $135 billion in 2006 dollars. That's for 11 space flights in all. Apollo 17 was the last one. 18, 19, 20 were cancelled and the Apollo program was superceded by the space shuttle program.

By comparison, the data show that over the entire lifetime of the the space shuttle program the cost has been $145 billion, and about $112 billion since the program became operational up to and including STS-117.

Furthermore, the average cost per shuttle flight has been about $1.3 billion over the life of the program and about $750 million over its most recent five years of operations.

So, you want to try and raise a debate over which program made more technological progress? Economic progress? Safety engineering progress? Puhleeeese!

I have no doubt that man's first steps on the Moon overshadow routine, "can of corn" Earth orbit missions. But, consider that there were two catastrophic accidents with Apollo, and one of them took the lives of Grissom, White and Chaffee -- on the ground. The other was Apollo 13. I suppose you think their luck at solving the several crises they had to overcome was just a stroll in the park.

I don't know what political axe you have to grind, but you don't know the facts about both programs. I would think you'd be better read up before trying to argue from such a weak position.

Answer 3

i think not ,way cheaper to send ppl up with rockets