There's no such thing as "routine" in space. The Columbia was only a few minutes from landing when... what? Maybe we'll never be sure. Frontiers are dangerous.
The heroes on Columbia knew the dangers and were proud to accept them. The team that built and launched the shuttle, no less heroes, did their best -- more than their best. We could build a better shuttle if we started from scratch today, and perhaps we should. But what we must not do is get bogged down in hand-wringing, finger-pointing, and blame-shifting.
We must continue toward space. Not because heroes died. Merely in spite of it. No frontier was ever explored without risk, and to insist that all possible risk be avoided is the same as saying "Give up and stay home." And we absolutely must not give in to those who will seize upon this tragedy as an excuse to further gut our space program. The future is out there. Resources, knowledge, a home for humanity other than this one fragile planet... we must reach space, while we still can.
We lost seven heroes yesterday. Mourn them, but honor their dream. Close ranks and go on.
