The space shuttle has cost the lives of 14 astronauts in just 113 flights and is not safe enough to keep flying with people on board, a Texas congressman said Thursday. Rep. Joe Barton, a member of the House Science Committee's space and aeronautics panel, wants the government to build a new, safer space vehicle or modify the shuttle so it can be flown unmanned.

Barton, R-Texas, said the space shuttle accident rate of one every 62.5 missions ``is simply not acceptable.'' In comments at a subcommittee hearing on NASA's plans, he urged the space agency to abandon the shuttle and find a safer way to fly into space.

user posted image Source: Columbia Investigation