Comments on: Shuttle Endeavour blasts off; debris strikes mulled

Endeavour climbs into space and sets off after the International Space Station. Engineers are evaluating multiple external tank foam debris strikes during ascent.

[Wyveryx]

It is sad to see the Shuttle's Era come to an End.

[k2dave]

While it is sad to see them go and they are very cool they are old and really it is time to move on.

[Rants&Raves]

With every new launch we are increasing the risk at which we put our astronauts; it was a really cool vehicle but, unless new ones are built, belongs to the history books. As for Julie Payette: what a woman ! Steely in her resolve, hyper-competent, caring; a model for mankind.

[solitare_pax]

Why on earth are they still flying something that was designed in the early 1970's and finally launched in the mid-1980's? I know I drove the same Toyota for 16 years before it finally died, but there's a huge difference between that and lighting off a rocket.

And shame on NASA for not having a new launch vehicle ready to go on-line when the shuttle is retired!

[Lerianis3]

I have to agree... shame on NASA for not having something ready to replace the shuttle. Really, this shows how far we are falling behind other countries around the world in space exploration and a few other areas.