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The disaster to the US space shuttle Columbia, which disintegrated with seven crew members on board just minutes before landing, marks a huge loss in the history of world human spaceflight.
In the midst of shock and sorrow, this accident also casts a shadow over the future of human spaceflight.
However, mankind's long-cherished dream of exploring outer space will be difficult to destroy, even if the catastrophe has dealt a heavy blow to it. After the accident, many countries, such as the United States, Russia and China, are re-evaluating their space programs, but are determined to carry on with human spaceflight.
The disintegration of Columbia has drawn people's attention to the importance of the space program and "what will replace the space shuttle" also surfaces in people's minds.
Officials and space specialists say it is beyond their ability to conduct sophisticated tasks with a space shuttle system that has been in service since the 1970s, and the development of new spacecraft should top the agenda. They also urged government to allocate more funds on the safety issues.
In response to the call, US President Bush assured in the memorial service held on Tuesday that "America's space program will go on." The president appropriated US$500 million for the space program and ordered an independent committee be set up to investigate whether the budget deficit compromised safety in any way.
In 1986, the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger served as the first signal for America to raise space expenditure. The Columbia disaster may well exert a similar impact on the public.
As a result, the loss could be turned into a gain.
Russia and Other Space Powers
Three days after Columbia's disintegration, Russia's Progress M-47, launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome, successfully docked at the international space station.
This spaceship, in a series with six other Progress spaceships to be launched this year, was on a supply mission to provide fuel, food and water to the space station.
Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov vowed the international space station will never fall victim to the disaster.
As the first space activity since Columbia's crash, Russia's space capability, techniques and experience take on an increasing significance.
Russia, the forerunner in human spaceflight, has been taking a different path from America. Unlike the American space shuttles, Russia's spaceships can be launched only once. However, they are characterized by easy use, lower costs, practicability and safety, all combining to outweigh their drawbacks.
Latest statistics showed Russia's spaceships have a higher level of overall efficiency than the space shuttles.
Apart from US and Russia, some other countries undertaking space programs, such as China, India and Japan, also have an eye on human spaceflight.
China's Shenzhou spacecraft landed successfully in Inter Mongolia this January; Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee urged India's scientists to fulfill the dream of sending mankind to the Moon; and Japanese press reported Tokyo plans to launch its first homemade manned spaceship to the Moon by 2020.
Despite the Colombia catastrophe, leaders of these countries expressed their determination to go on with their space program. Analysts believe that the ambitions of the countries in human space flight will set off a peaceful space competition.
No Worry for International Space Station
After the Columbia accident, NASA announced a moratorium on all space shuttle launches. The suspension is unlikely to be lifted until the investigation for the cause is completed.
Since the probe may drag for months or even years, people fear it could further dim the prospects for the space program, because during the moratorium, Russia alone will take on the full responsibility for the international space station construction and the supply missions.
In fact, Russia already has a plan in place to augment the transport capability. On America's part, it expressed appreciation as well as the intent to increase input into the construction of the international space station.
Analysts said this move may indicate America would put more emphasis on cooperation. Therefore, the difficulties are by no means insurmountable, and there is no reason to fear for the future.
The catastrophe has reminded people of the high risk in human spaceflight ventures, yet high return is the other side of the coin. Scientists pointed out that every one dollar of input may bring a return as high as 9 dollars.
Today, more than 30,000 commercial products are based on techniques developed in the space program, let alone the incalculable scientific benefits brought about by the program itself. That is the reason why one disaster will never stop mankind's march on the way to developing human spaceflight.
(Xinhua News Agency February 6, 2003)
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