[rktman]

Not 'back to the future', but 'moving ahead to the past'. Splash down! We have splash down! July 21, 2011 ended the last mission with a crew on board a spacecraft for the USA. In a reuseable craft. Stepping "ahead" to 'man on a stick' with ocean recovery sure doesn't seem like an advance to me. Butt, what do I know?

[mylife]

Testing results in failures, further testing results in success!

[null and void]

"I really don't want you or anyone to have the impression that this team, tried to take shortcuts"

Sounds like:

[CharleysPride]

Absolutely No Corners cut!

now, about those wings...

[impactplayer]

I worked for a competitor of Boeing, and was responsible for writing test requirements for large weapon systems. I cannot imagine not doing a total end-to-end test. Had I suggested it I am confident management reviews would have added it back into the plans.
End-to-end testing is very difficult. “Plus counts” (simulating missile flight - including live ordnance) are hard to pull off. It is the only time all of the pieces must work together. We now see what can happen when this step is skipped. I cannot imagine getting away with this . . .

[McCarthysGhost]

The left has ruined our iconic companies that were, not too long ago, the envy of the world.