My admiration is deep for the seven astronauts recently lost when the Columbia broke up over California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Their families have shown tremendous grace, and it's impressive they all have said the Shuttle Program must go on.
The lost crew of STS-107

Everyone is heartbroken at the news of the disaster with Columbia. Space flight is still an extremely risky endevor, and the brave women and men who choose to put their lives on the line so that we might move forward in great leaps instead of crawl on the ground in timid steps should have our greatest admiration and respect.

My thoughts are with their families, and the extended NASA family. Being from the US and always proud of our space program, I was deeply saddened by the news.

Vijae con Dios Amigos,
Martin