Thomas' parents relieved after launch

The Advertiser: Thomas' parents relieved after launch

:"'All I can say is it's a vast relief,' Mr Thomas told ABC radio."

I bet they are. I was overjoyed they had launched it. We are all very excited about this shuttle launch, but are well aware the journey is fraught with danger. When they started talking about debris falling off and then dents in the shuttle I started to think maybe it's going to be the Zeppelin thing again. Great idea, fantastic step forward, but he wrong thing for the time. Yet we have so much to thank these pioneers for. The space programme is this turn of the century's programme and scientists and astronauts are trying to break those new frontiers. Who would have thought one or two cars would turn into the massive industry and cherished possession we have today? How did people imagine that those ricketty airplanes would ever get to be the modern taxi services of our time? We look at the shuttle and it may seem fraught with danger but by the same token it is a step on a path which will take us into our next quantum leap as human beings. The shuttle of today, what might it be tomorrow and how will it impact our lives? It's all so amazing. I hope the astronauts are having a mind blowing experience and I hope those people at NASA are studying all those photos closely!!! What a relief, till the next bit!