Aero-News: Quote of the Day

ANN's Quote of the Day usually derives from current news, though we reserve the right to pick quotes out of history that have a bearing on the day's events and issues.

Sometimes, you'll find them timely and in keeping with the content of the day's news... and sometimes, they'll just be thought-provoking.

Reader suggestions and comments are welcome... and if particularly intriguing, timely, or poignant, may themselves become future Quotes of the Day.

Let us hear from you, folks!

Aero-News Quote of the Day

"It's the most dangerous manned spacecraft ever flown, by anybody."

Source: Former NASA astronaut -- and three-time shuttle mission specialist -- Mike Mullane, on the inherent risks of the space shuttle orbiters. In his new book "Riding Rockets," Mullane states astronauts flying aboard the shuttle are put at risk by the orbiter's lack of a powered launch escape system, similar to those once used on NASA's Mercury and Apollo flights (and are still used by Russia on Soyuz launches.) Mullane also states the sheepishness of astronauts, including himself, who were afraid to speak up about safety oversights in the wake of the 1986 Challenger tragedy (for fear of being drummed off the flight program) may have indirectly led to the 2002 loss of Columbia.

FMI: www.nasa.gov