(editor's note: The essay on this page was written by Hillary Schiff. She is concerned about our country and about the space shuttle program. The essay has not been edited)

  First it was the Challenger - a blend of mismanagement and order to the engineers requirements overridden. The results were plastered in the Central Florida sky.
   Recommendations were made and plans were made. The crew could've escaped by various means. But none could've helped a crew in the case of another explosion.
   What would've worked was an escape tower as was employed on the Mercury and Apollo spacecraft. Explosive bolts would be on the crew quarters... What was put in place would've killed the crew as much as leaving them in the craft, without escape.
   Then came the Columbia, with the faulty insulation by something broken loose and breaking the insulation in a spot.
   As a result, the craft ended up breaking apart on reentry, its 'armor' impaired.
   There could've been much more modern insulation substituted.
   Money... That was holding them back. No money for research and development. Corners cut, here and there.
   It doesn't have to be...
   If the executives would take a pay cut, there'd be more money for such things, including more launch workers.
   As it is, the people are put into grueling schedules. Many turn to alcohol and drugs to help them compensate.
   The cost in health and overworked people could, and did, lead to shortcuts.
   Back in early 1986, the Columbia was almost sent off with an insufficient fuel load.
   Unless we make such changes, the loss of a third shuttle would be inevitable.

... Hillary Schiff