Challenger‘s launch plume, I was fearful of all these things – it signified the potential for the end of space, without even the surrogate of computers.

Today, it’s a different story. Although the Russian space program is regarded as something of a straw man in the U. S., it’s a valuable space resource in its’ own right, with drastically differing traditions and a wealth of expertise in, for example, making do with tight budgets.

The presence of the ISS in orbit, combined with the American fear of unemployed Russian rocketeers, means that even though shuttle-based delivery of construction modules will be on hiatus for a good long time, the ISS is likely to continue as an ongoing space program.

I’d be remiss in failing to note that American satellite launches, often on conventional, solid-fuel rockets rather than the more expensive shuttles, have proceeded apace and are likely to continue.

Meanwhile, the Ariane 5 fleet is grounded on suspicion of a design flaw.

Despite this, I expect the ESA to clean up the problem with some speed – there’s money to be made, and Airbus has not finished Boeing off quite yet. Since Boeing’s ill-starred entry into the satellite biz with the acquisition of Hughes has been costly for the formerly Seattle based company (no, I’m not bitter- just underemployed), it seems to me unlikely that the ESA will be allowed to dither about endlessly.

So that leaves (drumroll please) China, on the United States’ shortlist of useful bugaboos – er, um, valuable trading partners – once we’re done cleaning up the axis of evil, and India, a state which has repeatedly lurched to the brink of nuclear war with Pakistan over the disputed Jammu and Kashmir area.

Do I lose sleep over Chinese astronauts or Indian misslemen heading to orbit? Far from it. In fact, I wholeheartedly root for them.

Neither state is likely to see the loss of Columbia as a reason to slow down; I’d rather guess it will act as a spur, on several levels.

One, it demonstrates that American technical expertise is by no means a guarantee of perfection (something the Chinese know already from our smart-bomb obliteration of a Chinese embassy in Belgrade a few years back).

One, it demonstrates that American technical expertise is by no means a guarantee of perfection (something the Chinese know already from our smart-bomb obliteration of a Chinese embassy in Belgrade a few years back).

Two, as with any developing technology in the years before it is used on a large scale in war, persons drawn to the technology feel a great sense of comradeship for others involved with similar technologies. The Chinese and Indian space programs will also be driven to honor the memories of those who perished yesterday morning.

So I’m filled with much less angst and fear today than I was on that dreadful January day sixteen years ago. We’re still headed for space. I remain saddened by the loss of the unfortunate crew and feel for their families, but rather than projecting my worries about a loss of space to humanity, my concerns are directly and exclusively focused on the individuals and their families.

I honor their loss, and hope sincerely that their families’ knowledge of the crew’s connection to what they were doing will ease the pain and shorten the suffering of their loved ones.