But saying that Apollo 1 tragedy (not a frivolous test, but one that was necessary to improve safety on a dangerous mission with a new vehicle) was caused by negligence, seems to me exhaggerated and perhaps outright wrong.
What would you have done had you been the decision maker? Forgone the test? Done at low pressure O2 and reduce leak test reliability? Blocked the program deeming it too unsafe? (and being grilled, it goes without saying)
Question: If the shuttle program is not extended beyond 2010 but the COTS program is given extra funding who will "take up the slack and fill the gap?"
Also: How likely (at this point) is the scenerio with an extension to 2012? (keep in mind the the DIRECT HLV looks more likely now than it did a while back)