We rarely learn anything Earth-shaking from space labs, says Philip Ball - which is why inexpensive missions like Foton-M3 are the way to go. More in this article from nature:
I've enjoyed listening to some podcasts about the Discovery programme at NASA, where they launch low-cost, quick turn-around missions.. such as Stardust and Deep Impact and Dawn.
I think if they can achieve the desired results then whats to stop them doing it more often?
That may mean more money freed up to make human space travel a bit more refined and ultimately safer.....not to say human space travel would be 100% safe anyway but.....
