Columbia -2003

Columbia - reaching for the stars

Today, we mourn seven lives who were part of a family, seven lives who dared to
challenge man's knowledge of his own existence. Perhaps as well we mourn the
loss of our pride in man's technological abilities.

Those concerned with the space exploration programme have always known the
danger that walks with them step by step, yet would never allow that to deter
them in their quest to find answers to long held questions.

We watch launch after launch, often becoming somewhat blasé about the whole
procedure, yet we should never forget the inherent risks involved in man
striding into space. I still recall how, as nations across the world were
gripped in their seats, we watched man's first faltering steps into space in
the early to mid 60's.

Then, somehow in the post moon walk days of the early 70's and beyond, our love
affair with space dimmed slightly. The will of the public's ability to fund the
very costly programme of exploration ebbed slowly away, leaving NASA facing a
more uncertain and reduced future.

So instead of the more expensive rocket systems that could only be used once,
the shuttle programme was developed using a reusable vehicle.
Many experts agreed that this was indeed our best chance of continued
endeavours in outer space.

Man will one day I believe walk upon other planets in the solar system and he
will do so because man didn't stop trying to climb the mountain just because it
was there

To the families and friends of the seven crew we would extend our heartfelt
wishes in times of sorrow. No where is this I believe expressed better then in
the words President Bush used on the day of the tragedy;

"In the skies today we saw destruction and tragedy. Yet farther than we can see
there is comfort and hope. In the words of the prophet Isaiah, "Lift your eyes
and look to the heavens. Who created all these? He who brings out the starry
hosts one by one and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and
mighty strength, not one of them is missing."

"The same Creator who names the stars also knows the names of the seven souls
we mourn today. The crew of the shuttle Columbia did not return safely to
Earth; yet we can pray that all are safely home".

"May God bless the grieving families, and may God continue to bless America"
- President Bush 1st Febuary 2003