The NASA Space Shuttle - the Pinto of Space Travel

It has just been reported that the Space Shuttle Endeavour has landed safely, after lengthy debate about whether it would even be able to land after a small piece of its ever fragile heat shield broke off during the liftoff. Is it just me, or is this becoming such a regular event that we need a special correspondent on the news devoted to just Shuttle gossip? It would seem to me that if your reusable space vehicle is in such dangerous and sorry condition that a baby fart can knock off the protective cover, then it is probably time to start looking for a new space vehicle. Look at the Russians and their vehicle - a disposable meat and potatoes machine that has changed little since the sixties. Less cargo room to be sure, but cheaper launches, less headaches, less hand wringing, and more opportunities to call space travelers "cosmonauts." Yet again, another reason to bring back the Cold War...