I have to agree, Frederick Valentich is a case that perplexes me. It could be argued that he crashed into Bass Strait. However, the recorded conversation with Air Traffic Control, and other witnesses to strange objects in the sky, adds an air of mystery to this.

On that day, I had the flu, and was asleep on my couch. A friend of mine came over to pick me up, and asked me if I had seen the Space Shuttle explode. I immediately turned the TV on and saw them replaying it over and over. I try to follow every Shuttle Mission, and always breathe a sigh of relief when they pass that 72 second mark. In 2003, I was walking into a bowling alley with my daughters in Edmonton, AB. when we saw Columbia break up. It brought back a flood of memories watching in shock another tragedy unfolding. I don't think Space Flight will ever be risk free, and I'm sure many more lives will be lost as mankind reaches for the stars. My hat goes off to the brave men and women that dedicate their lives to exploring the "Last Frontier."