Should space programs be terminated?
... deadly. This prompts some people to doubt whether the US should continue its space programs and even send human on space missions at all. It is understandable for people to have this ．children-who-was-once-burnt-dread-fire・ attitude in the wake of the gruesome mishap. But, in the long run, the tragedy should not overshadow the future space programs or become a deterrent to our aspiration to explore the mythical yet fascinating universe. Humans have long embarked on the ceaseless path of scientific explorations out of their curiosity about the Nature, leading to countless marvelous discoveries. Of course, along this path there are many stumbling blocks and dangers. But scientists still manage to overcome them with their wisdom and determination, making the world of science more and more advanced. In this process, sacrifices are inevitable, as evidenced by Alfred Nobel, the celebrated scientist who was injured when manufacturing dynamites. Despite the risks, scientific explorations continue, thanks to the scientists・ willingness to sacrifice. Without this, the evolution of science certainly comes to a halt. With the understanding of these, the Columbia catastrophe should not be deemed the demise of a space era. Instead, we should be positive about the future developments of space programs and draw a lesson paid by the live...