NASA doesn't run the shuttle, U.S.A. does. Because much of this is invisible, the general public doesn't understand the depth of involvement of U.S.A. NASA wants to let private companies get people into low Earth orbit.

If something happens to the shuttle on this one, it would be mistakenly shut down. Or [NASA would] really back off the program.

Let's see if I can put this in a way you'll understand. We like you because you're invisible.

In the long run, much public opinion is made in the universities; ideas generated there filter down through the teaching profession and the students into the general public.

This mission was supposed to be the beginning of the end for the shuttle, not the beginning of another round of upgrades. The history of the shuttle has, unfortunately, always been that the upgrades and operational costs have eaten up the money that was supposed to be the seed corn for new expeditions.

This mission was supposed to be the beginning of the end for the shuttle, not the beginning of another round of upgrades, ... The history of the shuttle has, unfortunately, always been that the upgrades and operational costs have eaten up the money that was supposed to be the seed corn for new expeditions.